Find a school or childcare

Contents

Pre-school age (0–4+ years)

School age (4–16+ years)

Higher education (18+ years)

This guide is split into three sections according to the age of the child you care for. You can always contact our team if you have questions or need help with finding a school or childcare.

The time before a child starts school, often called ‘early years’, is increasingly seen as an important stage in a child's development. Childcare settings such as pre-schools, day nurseries, kindergartens and childminders can provide a stimulating learning environment that helps a child develop. 

These early years settings give children from infants up to school age the chance to play, develop social skills and gain new experiences with trained childcarers. They also give you a well-earned break.

All children who are 2 years old and have left care under a special guardianship order are entitled to 15 hours per week of free childcare. This is in recognition of the extra benefit that children who have experienced early life trauma will gain from structured early years care.

All children aged 3+ qualify for 15 hours per week of free childcare for 38 weeks a year (term time). Some parents will qualify for 30 free hours per week, depending on their income and employment.

The Government provides step-by-step online guidance on getting childcare ↗ that covers:

• how to find childcare

• how to get help paying for childcare

• what to do if your circumstances change.

Contact our education team to get support with funding and speak to someone about any concerns. We can explain how it works and help you get started. 

Choosing childcare

You can find a list of all registered local childcare providers ↗ on the Buckinghamshire Council website. It includes their location and basic details.

Only ever use a registered childcare provider for professional daycare to ensure your child's safety and to access any free funding. 

Speak to the person providing the care and visit the setting in person to get to know it better and see what it offers. Most settings offer taster sessions or ‘settling-in’ days to help you and the provider understand how it might work and to see how the child takes to it.

The Family and Childcare Trust provides a clear five-step process for choosing childcare ↗ and a special guide on things to consider if you feel the child you care for has additional needs or disabilities ↗. 

If your child is already in an existing setting, you have the right to choose to take them out and transfer them at any time. Just be aware of the potential impact the disruption may have on the child.

If you choose to move, the previous and new settings should work together to transfer any funding you are eligible for.

There are two points when you must choose a child’s school.

• Primary school – typically starts the September after the child turns 4

• Secondary school – typically start the September after the child turns 11

You may also want to help the child you care for choose a further education (FE) option, such as college or an apprenticeship.

A child who has left care under a Special Guardianship Order must be given priority in schools’ admissions criteria. You don't need to only consider your nearest school. Instead, you can find the best fit for the child.

• All Buckinghamshire schools and colleges ↗

• Compare performance for all schools in Buckinghamshire ↗

You will be notified of the school application process in writing by the council ahead of time and are required to list your preferred choices.

Your special guardianship may not be picked up in school processes, so it’s important that you mention it in your application. Our team can help you through the process and give you advice on factors to consider.

Choosing a school

Our team can’t recommend schools, but we can help you with the applications process and what to think about when making your decision.

Try to find as much information as possible, go to a school open day or arrange a personal visit. Many schools will allow the child you care for to go with you so they can see what it is like too.

Consider the following when choosing a school:

• Impressions: How do you feel about the environment and staff?

• Size: How big is the school, including year groups and classes?

• Rating: What rating did the school get and what does it say in the most recent Ofsted report?

• Values: What are the school’s priorities and what does it stand for?

• Support: How does the school support children who have special educational needs?

• Facilities: What facilities and clubs does the school have?

• Location: How will the child travel to and from school?

Some home-to-school transport may be funded by the local authority for children with a special guardianship order, especially if they have an Education Health and Care Plan (EHCP) ↗. But with a mainstream (not special school), this is unlikely to apply to you if you chose a school further from your house than alternative, closer options.

Changing school

There may be times when you want or need to change the child’s school. Common reasons include:

• moving house

• concern about the child's welfare or progress

• suspension or expulsion 

Your options will depend on the reasons for the change, including whether places in others schools are available and at what point it is in the school year.

Contact our education team, who can talk through your options and help you move forwards with greater clarity and confidence. 

If the child you care for is thinking about university, we encourage you to contact our team for support.

They may be able to access funding in the form of grants, which do not have to be repaid. They may also be able to get financial support towards tuition fees and accommodation. Visit the Kinship website for a summary of typical funding opportunities ↗.

Every university should have a ‘widening participation’ lead, who can give you advice on the support available. We can help you find out who this person is at each university.

Contact our education team to get support with the process of choosing and applying to university.