Childcare and education

Children in the UK have to legally receive education between the ages of 5 and 16. Local authority state schools provide free education.
Find out more about childcare

Private schools, also known as independent schools, are inspected regularly, and registered with the government but not funded by them. Private schools charge a fee, which can be quite expensive.

Other school provisions include academies, grammar, faith, and special schools.
Find a school in Middlesbrough

Before children start school at the age of 5, you will often need childcare which can include nursery schools, playgroups, and childminders. The costs vary but can be quite expensive with a nursery place costing on average £54 per day.

To help support staff with childcare costs, Teesside University have partnered with a couple of local nurseries in the Middlesbrough area to offer up to 12.5% discount on nursery fees. Please email employeeengagement@tees.ac.uk to find out more about childcare discount, or other childcare providers available in your area.

In the UK some people are eligible for the government tax free childcare scheme where families can get up to £500 every three months (up to £2,000 a year) for each of your children to help with the costs of childcare. This goes up to £1,000 every three months if a child is disabled (up to £4,000 a year). Unfortunately, this is not available to everyone. To be eligible for the scheme you must have a national insurance number and at least one of the following:

• British or Irish citizenship
• settled or pre-settled status, or you have applied and you're waiting for a decision
• permission to access public funds - your UK residence card will tell you if you cannot do this

You may also be eligible for the scheme if you are a frontier worker.
Find out more about the scheme and if you are eligible

Out of school clubs are run by some schools and private and voluntary organisations. They open before and after the school day, with some operating through school holidays, for parents who require flexibility for dropping off and collecting their child from school.
Search for nearby out of school club services

In the UK, the school year runs from September to mid or late July the following year and is made up of three term school years, divided into half terms. Half term is normally a week in October, February and May, and schools are closed. School holidays are usually two weeks in December to January, and April, and about six weeks from July - September. During this time you may wish to consider school clubs or find alternative childcare.
Find your child's school term, half terms and holiday dates