Childcare & schools

Childcare (Booklet)

About the Service

Leeds Met is available to give advice and information on all aspects of childcare. This includes lists of childminders nurseries and other registered care in each postcode area.

There are two Children's Centres in the city centre who are willing to take students from Leeds Met. See contacts/Location for more information. We also have an arrangement with North Leeds Community Nursery, which is on the edge of the Headingley Campus in the grounds of what was Beckett Park Primary School

Breast Feeding Rooms

We have now have rooms available where mothers can breast feed their babies. Details are as follows:

City Campus - mothers should to contact The Rose Bowl Helpzone.
Headingley - mothers should contact The Helpzone to be allocated an available room.

Baby Changing

Baby changing facilities are available at:

Headingley: Disabled toilets near the Helpzone (G07) and at the back of Metceno (RG25).
Northern Terrace: Ground Floor (G19).
Cloth Hall Court: 1st Floor (121).
Carnegie Pavilion: Upper Ground Disabled WC; 1st Floor Hawke Room Disabled WC; 2nd Floor Disabled WC.

High Chairs

2 High chairs are available in the refectory at City Campus and Headingley Campus.

Contacts/Location

North Leeds Community Nursery
Manager: Elaine Tocknell
Telephone: 0113 274 1579
Email: nlcn.1@btinternet.com
Address: Foxcroft Close, Headingley, LS6 3NT

Deborah Davey
Childcare Manager
Telephone: 0113 812 6701
Email: childcare@leedsmet.ac.uk
Address: Rose Bowl, Room 148, Portland Crescent, LS1 3HB

What is a childminder?

A childminder is someone who is registered to provide home-based care for children under the age of eight, for more than two hours a day, and receives a reward for this care. Many childminders also provide before- and after-school care. The law requires childminders to be registered and annually inspected by Ofsted's Early Years Directorate, to ensure that they provide a quality childcare service and meet the 14 National Day Care Standards.

All childminders are self-employed and offer flexible hours. In Leeds, their fees start from around £3.50 per hour, depending on the area.

What is an out of school club?

Out of school clubs are registered childcare provision which provides play opportunities for children before or after school. They take place in a variety of settings - schools, community centres, church halls, or they may have their own premises. At the club children will usually receive a snack or a hot meal, and are able to participate in a wide variety of activities including arts and crafts, games, sports and drama until they are collected by their parents or carers.

What is a private nursery?

Independent / private nurseries and those run by the voluntary sector offer both full- and part-time day care for children aged 3-6 months to below school age. Trained and qualified staff provide for the needs and interests of young children. Private nurseries are run as businesses; those within the voluntary sector aim at least to cover their costs.

What is an Early Years Centre?

There are 37 Early Years Centres are managed by the Childcare and Early Development Service of the Leeds City Council. They provide quality pre-school experience that offers a balance of care and education for children under five. Some EYCs also provide an out of school facility, which caters for school age children up to the age of 11 years.

What is a playscheme?

A playscheme offers day care for children during the school holidays. Some offer full day care (looking after children from 9am until 5pm) and some offer sessional care only (morning or afternoon). All holiday playschemes that cater for children from the age of four years and those that run for more than six days are required to be registered and inspected by Ofsted.

What is a playgroup?

Playgroups are community-based groups whose aim is to provide play and learning opportunities for children with support and flexibility for parents. Typically they operate on a sessional basis in community or church halls. The majority open during term time only, usually in the mornings. Groups take children from the age of two and a half to rising-five. The groups are predominantly funded by parental contributions and government grants where applicable. Groups operating for more than two hours are required to register with Ofsted.

How can I tell if a day care provider or childminder is registered with Ofsted?

Registered providers will have a Registration Certificate - parents should ask to see this. If the provider refuses, you can contact Ofsted on 0300 123315 or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk to check that they are registered.

What are Ofsted's responsibilities?

In September 2001, Ofsted became responsible for the registration and inspection of day care and childminding. Previously these services were regulated by local authorities, who each set their own criteria and procedures. In May 2001, following extensive consultation, the Department for Education and Skills published the first national standards for childminding and day care for under-eights. In its new role as the single regulatory body, Ofsted checks that day care providers and childminders throughout England meet the national standards. This means that parents can be confident in the standard of childcare wherever they live.

Student services also provide information and advice about childcare. Contact Deborah Davey on 0113 812 4931 or email: d.davey@leedsmet.ac.uk. Information about local childcare provision can also be found on the Leeds City Council website.

The Leeds City Council website also provides information about local schools, including admissions procedures and holiday dates.

Leeds Met Students’ Union operates a child-friendly policy across its bars at City and Headingley campuses and Kirkstall Brewery. Free meals for under-5s are available with each adult meal purchased.

For information about baby changing facilities and breast-feeding rooms, please ask at the Helpzone.

Links: Helpzone, Leeds, Students’ Union

Quick access to the resources you need on a day to day basis

Search by letter:

FAQs

External / Current Students / Staff

Students' Union

Disclaimer