Help from your local authority In some circumstances, your local authority may be able to offer your child a subsidised place in an approved local nursery. Here we look at the options and the circumstances involved.

Local help

Your local authority may be able to offer a subsidised place for your child if they're under school age and you're on a low income. This is likely to be in a community nursery (a non-profit nursery run for children in the local community) that offers places at affordable prices.

Demand for such places is high, however, and you may find there's a long waiting list.

Who can apply?

You'll need to live within the catchment area of a community nursery to have any chance of getting a subsidised place, and many give priority to families with 'social need', for example if you have a low income or are a lone parent.

Because a community nursery is subsidised, it's likely to cost a lot less than a private day nursery, but some offer a number of full-cost places to working parents who are able to pay full fees.

For a place at a local authority nursery, your child has to be referred by your family's social worker or health visitor, although the nursery may also offer a proportion of full-cost places to parents who can afford the fees.

All local authorities have an obligation to help with childcare if a child is 'in need' or disabled, and there should be a choice of services offered at a price you can afford, or for free. If you feel your family is in crisis, talk to your local social services.

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