When can my child...

go to a Children's Centre

From birth to 5 years, a Children's Centre is a place where parents, carers or families can attend and use play facilities, join in groups and receive support. They work in close partnership with other agencies to offer a range of services that reflect the local communities.

start using childcare

Day nurseries and Childminders can care for children from a few months old. Day nurseries will care for a child up to 5 years and childminders usually up to 12 years. Most preschools will take children between the age of 2 to 2½ up to the age for 5.

get help towards paying for childcare

Funded childcare for working families start at 9 months.
Up to 15 hours per week, is available for some 2-year olds
All 3- and 4-year olds can get 15 hours childcare

get help towards paying for childcare

Funded childcare for working families start at 9 months.
Up to 15 hours per week, is available for some 2-year olds
All 3- and 4-year olds can get 15 hours childcare

start in a school nursery class (Opens in New Window)

Children can take up a free 15-hour place in these school nurseries in the September after their third birthday.

start in a primary school (Opens in New Window)

Children can attend a primary school in the September after their fourth birthday.

start breakfast, afterschool or holiday playschemes?

Most out of school and holiday provisions will take children from the age of 4 to 12 years (a child aged 4 must also be in full time reception class and not in a nursery class)

travel free on London transport

Generally, the cheapest way for children to travel in London is by using a Zip Oyster photocard.
Children under 11 can travel free on buses and trams without needing a 5-10 Zip Oyster photocard unless they look older than 10, in which case it is advisable to apply for a 5-10 Zip Oyster photocard

11-15 year olds can travel free on buses and trams and travel at half adult-rate on all other TfL services and most National Rail services in London with a Zip Oyster card

16 and 17 year olds can travel at half adult-rate on all TfL services and most National Rail services in London with a 16+ Zip Oyster card

be left home alone

There is no set age for leaving children home alone. The law simply says that you shouldn’t leave a child alone if they’ll be at risk.
The NSPCC offers the following advice on leaving a child at home

  • Babies, toddlers and very young children should never be left alone
  • Children under the age of 12 are rarely mature enough to cope in an emergency and should not be left at home alone for a long period of time
  • Children under the age of 16 should not be left alone overnight
  • A child should never be left at home alone if they do not feel comfortable with this, regardless of their age
  • If a child has additional needs, these should be considered when leaving them at home alone or with an older sibling

get a job

Part time
The youngest age a child can work part-time is 13, except children involved in areas like television, theatre and modelling. Children working in these areas will need a performance licence
Full-time
Children can only start full-time work once they’ve reached the minimum school leaving age when they can then work up to a maximum of 40 hours a week. Read more on child employment

leave school

A child/young person can leave school on the last Friday in June if they will be 16 by the end of the summer holidays.
They must then do one of the following until they are 18:
stay in full-time education, for example at a college
start an apprenticeship or traineeship
spend 20 hours or more a week working or volunteering, while in part-time education or training
Read more on: