Children and families

Salford Family Information Service signpost, showing how we can help with childcare, parenting, family activities, things to do and careers in childcare

Salford Starting Life Well Service

Information for parents and prospective parents.

Are you looking for childcare?

If you are working, or studying or you are looking to return to work or study please contact us on the phone number below, or alternatively you can email your enquiry to SLW@salford.gov.uk.

If you are not looking for childcare to support your work or study needs then there is a lot of information on other types of services and support in Salford that may meet your needs. Visit 0-19insalford.info.

Did you know you may be able to access free childcare for two year olds?

The Starting Life Well Service manages the funding from the government that supports free places for two year olds. Two year old funding is not available for all two year old children. Families must meet a strict criteria to be eligible and places may be limited. Use our secure online application to apply. The aim is:

To improve outcomes for parents by supporting them to take up training or go back to work
To improve learning outcomes for two year olds in order to close the gap between those children living in the most disadvantaged communities

How many hours can I access?

Up to 15 hours of free childcare maybe accessed term time only (38 weeks of the year) or up to 11 hours per week (51 weeks of the year). Please note this will be subject to your preferred childcare providers' opening times and availability.

Essential criteria

To be considered for two year old funding a child and their family must meet the following criteria:

Benefits (to be in receipt of at least one of the following):

Income Support
Income based Job Seekers Allowance
Child Tax Credit at a rate higher than the family element
Extra Working Tax Credit relating to a disability
Pension Credit

Postcode areas

Your postcode will be used by the local authority in order to establish your eligibility under this criteria. Areas of deprivation have been identified by the government for this purpose. You must live in one of the target areas in Salford or your child has a speech and language delay (which will be identified by a Speech and Language Assessor).

Applications may also be considered if the benefit criteria is met and applications are from:

BME families
Lone parents
Teenage/young parents

Who provides the free childcare?

Salford has lots of quality childcare providers. The two year old funding can only be taken with childcare providers who are on Salford's approved list to deliver free childcare sessions for two year olds. You may have some choice as to how and where you take your free childcare place, but this does depend on who has vacancies and how they can be delivered. There are a large number of childcare providers across Salford who offer the funding. We will help you choose which provider can best meet your child's needs.

Once your child has a place and you are happy with the placement your child will remain with that childcare provider, as they will automatically be transferred over to the funding for three and four year olds, even if your circumstances change, for example you return to work.

From what date is my two year old child eligible for funded sessions?

There are three different funding periods in the year. Your child becomes eligible for funding at the beginning of the period after their second birthday. The following table shows when these funding periods are:

Child has second birthday between	Date eligible
1 April and 31 August	1 September
1 September and 31 December	1 January
1 January and 31 March	1 April

How do I access the two year old funding?

Apply online by secure upload
Contact your local Sure Start Children's Centre
Contact any professional or agency working with your family (such as, health visitor, social worker, family support worker, they will complete an application form with you and submit it to us for consideration)

What else do I need to know?

You do not have to buy additional hours or “top up” sessional costs
You should not be charged for any part of the placement (remember to inform Tax Credits of any reduction in your nursery fees)
You will be asked for your consent for information to be shared with other agencies, e.g. children's centres, primary care trust, childcare providers, speech and language team

What do I do next?

Complete our secure online application form.

What happens if I didn't get a nursery place in school?

Did you know every parent can access free childcare for three and four year olds in Salford, even if you didn't get a place at your local school nursery there are day nurseries and pre-school playgroups in Salford where you can access up to 15 hours of free early education and childcare. Your child is eligible the term after their third birthday.

Salford Childcare Sufficiency Assessment 2011

The Salford Childcare Sufficiency Assessment 2011 is now complete and available to download. The report looks at the supply of, and demand for, childcare in the city and if there are any key gaps in the market.

Information for families of disabled children

Visit the disabled children pages to find out about services and fun activities.

More information for parents

The parents page is for anyone looking for advice, support, or information on a variety of subjects, e.g. from activities, health and financial support to child safety and learning and development. Also included are free national advice and support services for parents and a free NHS online health check NHS Baby LifeCheck for babies five to eight months old.

Who to contact

Name: Salford Starting Life Well Service
Address: Second Floor
Unity House
Swinton
Salford
M27 5AW
Map to this location
Telephone: 0161 909 6508
Email: SLW@salford.gov.uk
Fax: 0161 778 0509