Childcare
Everyone is also entitled to a level of free support from the age of 2 from the government regardless of their immigration status. Both parents have responsibility to pay for the costs of having children, even if they are separated.
When arranging child care you should try and plan ahead as far as possible. There is often a shortage of spaces, particularly during school holidays.
The level of free support you can access will depend on the age of your child, and whether you meet the eligibility requirements of the schemes available.
Support can include paying for nursery costs, holiday clubs, and after-school clubs. Financial support is generally only available from registered child care providers. If you have an informal arrangement, such as a relative who looks after your child, you may not be eligible for support with the cost of this.
The government provide an online tool that can help you understand what support you’re entitled to. You can also get a benefits check or advice from a free benefits advice organisation which will help you see what support you can get via the benefits system.
Pre-schools provide child care for 3-4 hours during school term time for children aged between 3 and 5.
Child minders are usually self-employed people who provide child care for small groups of children, in their own home. You would typically be expected to drop your child off at their home, but some may be able drive them to or from school for you. If the child minder falls sick, it will be up to you to find alternative child care.
There are websites that can help you find suitable child minders – or you may be able to ask people you know for recommendations. When contacting child minders, you should check if they are registered, what is and isn’t included in their costs, and any polices they have around sickness.
Day nurseries provide child care and education to children up to the age they start primary school. They are usually open from 8am to 6pm on week days. They are often more expensive than child minders.
Nursery schools provide early education to children between 3 and 5. They are usually free if they are attached to a primary school.
They are typically part of a primary school, and only open during school terms.
Many schools provide child care before and after school starts. This may be a breakfast club where you can drop your child off around 8am, or after school clubs where your child can remain usually until around 6pm. There will be a cost for this, but you may be able to get support for this cost from the government. There may also be holiday schemes in place during school holidays.
You can ask your school what is available.
You are allowed to leave your child with a relative. Unless they are a registered child care provider, you won’t be able to get financial support for this.
You may also be able to leave your child with a friend. You should be aware that if your child is under 8, they must be a registered child minder if you want to leave them for more than 2 hours during normal working hours.
Depending on the age and maturity of your child, it may be OK to leave them in the house without any child care – particularly once they are a teenager. The law doesn’t set a minimum age for this, but it is against the law to leave them on their own if it would leave them at risk of harm.
You can apply for support online.
If anything changes, such as your income, employment situation, where you live or family situation, you should let the government know. For example, if you’re getting child care support via Universal Credit, you should let them as soon as possible. You can usually do this online.
There are a wide variety of organisations that support parents by providing information, advice, and parenting classes. These include Children's Centres, which are for parents with young children.
It is illegal for anyone to hit your child. It is illegal for you to hit or slap your child in Scotland and Wales. In the rest of the country, it would be illegal if hitting them leaves any injury or visible marks.
If you neglect or harm your children, the government social services can intervene. In severe cases, they have the power to remove your children from you if that is required to protect them.
There on online resources that describe alternative ways to discipline a child. There are also organisations offering courses and other support for parents.
The NHS provides free healthcare throughout the journey of pregnancy and childbirth. Other organisations offer advice, classes and other support with pregnancy.
If think you might be pregnant, you can buy a testing kit from any pharmacy, and most supermarkets. You can do a pregnancy test three weeks after unprotected sex, or once you have missed a period.
You can ask your GP or local sexual health centre, as many of these offer a free testing kits. Some charities may also be able to give you a test kit.
If you’re pregnant, you should consider what you want to do. You will have free medical and practical support through the pregnancy if you choose to go ahead. If you do not want to have a baby, you can get an abortion. For many people this can be a difficult choice, so you may want to contact a free advice service to talk through your options.
You will receive free support throughout pregnancy, birth and shortly after.
As soon as you find out you’re pregnant, you should see your GP. Your GP will be able to give you advice about your health and the pregnancy, and test for diseases and disorders. They will also put you in contact with a midwife who will support you through your pregnancy.
You will be offered appointments throughout your pregnancy to ensure your baby is healthy, and help you prepare for the birth. You will be given ultrasound scans to find out when your baby is due and to check its development.
There are free classes that can help you learn how to stay healthy during pregnancy, prepare for birth, and look after your baby. These are called 'antenatal classes', and you can find out which ones are available by asking your midwife, health visitor or GP.
You can choose to give birth in a hospital, or in your own home if you prefer. If you choose to have your baby at home, your midwife will support you with this.
You can have an abortion up to 24 weeks into your pregnancy in the UK, except in Northern Ireland where the period is 12 weeks. Beyond this point, it is still legal if continuing with the pregnancy may cause a risk to your life, or there is evidence that your baby has a severe disability.
To get an abortion, you can talk to your GP or go to your nearest sexual health clinic. They will help refer you to a free abortion service.
The NHS will not tell your parents, unless they believe you are at risk of sexual abuse. They would usually discuss this with you first.