Tag Archive for: Clayhall

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Follow Tic Toc Nursery on Social Media

Tic Toc Nursery is active on social media. Why not follow our profiles and engage with us, particularly if you are a parent of a baby, or under-five child in or around Clayhall, Ilford or Essex. We’ll ensure that we keep profiles busy with news from the nursery/pre-school and useful information relating to early years learning and development. Examples include links to useful guides and ‘how to’ articles, fun activity ideas for under-fives and even occasional funny stuff! We’re on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Google Business and Instagram at time of writing, but may add more profiles in the future.

Tic Toc News & Information Blog

We’re also very active, of course, here on our blog. Here, we’ll tend to stick to larger, in-depth articles, covering ‘big’ topics, each of which will be well researched. These should be particularly useful to readers who have babies and young children. Childcare funding, children’s health, safeguarding, early years education and children’s activities are just a few category examples. So, please do come back regularly as we currently publish two high quality articles here every month.

Follow Tic Toc Nursery Ilford on FacebookFollow us on Facebook

We’re also on Facebook. You can view and follow our Facebook profile here. We’ll ensure it keeps you up-to-date with all the goings-on at the nursery, links to all the topics we cover on the blog and a whole lot more. Our Facebook profile also gives you at-a-glance information about the nursery/pre-school and its services. There’s even a page where you can send in your review if your child has experienced this outstanding new childcare service in Clayhall, Ilford.

Follow Tic Toc Nursery Ilford on TwitterFollow us on Twitter

Follow us on Twitter (we’re @tictocilford) and stay abreast of early years news, activities, information, opinions and anything we think might be useful to parents of babies, toddlers and under-five children. We’ll also be sure to include tweets — and retweets from others — including anything interesting to do with Clayhall, Ilford or nearby areas of Essex like Barkingside, Gants Hill, Redbridge and South Woodford.

Follow Tic Toc Nursery Ilford on PinterestCheck Out our Pinterest Pins!

You can follow our ‘pins’ and ‘boards’ on Pinterest. We’re @TicTocNurseryIlford on Pinterest and you can view and follow our Pinterest profile here. As well as posting pins of photographs from our own website, our Pinterest pin boards contain images and videos in categories such as Early Years, Outdoor Play, Nursery School, Nature Activities for little ones, Sensory Activities, Pre-School, Tic Toc Nursery itself and also, of course, Ilford. We love Pinterest as it can be the source of so many great ideas, so do follow us. Feel free to start re-pinning anything you think is useful for future reference — that’s what our pins are for.

Follow Tic Toc Nursery Ilford on InstagramFollow us on Instagram

Follow us on Instagram too. We’re @tictocnurseryilford, so you can follow us on Instagram here. See all the imagery that we post. These will mainly be our own images, so you can see what we’re interested in along with images from the nursery/pre-school itself, in Clayhall, Ilford. It’s brand new so, at time of writing, is very much “early days”. However, we plan for it to be jam-packed with imagery and even videos before long.

Find Tic Toc Nursery Ilford on Google BusinessOur Google Business Profile

Many people first find out about us via our Google Business profile, which you can see here, particularly if they’re local and are looking for a good nursery or pre-school in Clayhall, Ilford. We’ll post images and links to recent blog posts on our Google Business profile. Additionally, the map feature may be useful if you’re visiting — as it has a great ‘directions’ feature. Opening hours and our key contact information are also displayed.

Happy With our Childcare Service?

Please Leave Us a Review

Happy With our Childcare Service? Please Leave Us a ReviewIf you’re a parent of a child attending the nursery and are happy with the service, please leave us a review and rate us out of 5 stars — many thanks if so. Please leave a Google review here — it’s easy and quick. Many thanks!

Do You Have Any Suggestions?

We’re keen to offer the very best childcare service in Clayhall, Ilford, Essex, so if there’s anything you think we can improve, please tell us. Then, we can make appropriate changes. We’re always keen to listen to parents’ opinions and ideas, so do get in touch with us directly with any suggestions, rather than through social media. We will then have the opportunity to take your ideas on board. Many thanks.

The New Childcare Service in Clayhall, Ilford, Essex

Our New Childcare Service Will Suit Parents Living or Working in Clayhall, Ilford or Near Barkingside, Gants Hill, Redbridge, South Woodford or Fulwell Cross

Tic Toc Nursery and pre-school offers high quality childcare services in Clayhall, Ilford, Essex (IG5). Tic Toc Nursery is owned and run by an experienced team of childcare professionals who can’t wait to welcome your baby, toddler or under-five child to the setting. Our aim is to be the best nursery and pre-school in Clayhall, Ilford, in Essex and to bring out the absolute best in your little one. In this way, they will thrive not only while they’re with us, but long after they’ve left us on their journey through school and beyond. We’re also conveniently close to Barkingside, Gants Hill, Redbridge, South Woodford and Fulwell Cross — so are perfectly placed if you live or work in any of those nearby locations.

Please get in touch using one of the buttons below to take the first step for your child at Tic Toc Nursery …

Message UsT: 020 8551 2577 Book a Visit
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The Early Learning Goals for Every Child

The Early Learning Goals for Every Child

A set of important Early Learning Goals (“ELGs”) is prescribed for every child at nursery or pre-school in England.Did you know that there is a set of important Early Learning Goals (“ELGs”) prescribed for every child at nursery or pre-school in England? The goals are even enshrined in law under the Childcare Act of 2006. It’s all part of the Early Years Foundation Stage (‘EYFS’), which is the statutory framework governing the entire approach to early years provision in England. But what are the early learning goals? What is their purpose? Why do they exist? Today we’ll take a deep dive into the Early Learning Goals to answer all such questions and more. It’ll also highlight how early years providers like Tic Toc Nursery work, behind the scenes, to get the best outcome for every child under their care. Let’s take a look…

What is the Purpose of the Early Learning Goals?

In essence, the purpose of the Early Learning Goals is to ensure that every child reaches their full learning and development potential. The Early Learning Goals ensure that every child reaches their full learning and development potential.By achieving personal bests in every area, they will have the very best foundations set up for their ongoing future. It’s also a way to ensure that they are as “school-ready” as possible at the age of five, when they leave early years provision and transition to Year 1 at school. This will enable them to hit the ground running there — and accomplish a flying start. They will also take with them a natural enthusiasm to learn that they have gained during their early years. Studies show that children’s outcomes and life chances are significantly improved when a good approach to early years learning and development has been implemented. Indeed, that’s one of the many reasons why the UK’s Department of Education (‘DfE’) offers free childcare to eligible 2-year-olds and to all 3 and 4-year-old children living in England.

The ELGs “support teachers to make a holistic, best-fit judgement about a child’s development, and their readiness for year 1.” (DfE)

How are Early Learning Goals Assessed, and By Whom?

The ELGs are used as benchmarks against which each child's learning and developmental milestones are measured.Every under-five child at officially-registered childcare settings in England is assessed against their Early Learning Goals on an ongoing basis. Firstly, this is done by the childcare professionals at the setting. That will include a Key Person, who is allocated to each individual child. The ELGs are used as benchmarks against which each child’s learning and developmental milestones are measured, although the overall learning and development plan for each child will be completely tailored to their particular strengths and weaknesses. In this way, childcare professionals will know if the child is reaching their full potential in each area at any given point. If not, then extra focus can be used to address any shortcomings, as well as any special needs being identified. If identified, appropriate arrangements can be put in place, including any specialist professional help where needed. Weaker areas can be strengthened and areas of of particular talent can be maximised so that the child achieves their fullest potential.

Childcare settings like Tic Toc Nursery will also feed back to parents, and ideally vice-versa, so that their efforts towards the children’s goals can be combined and thus optimised.

“Good parenting and high quality early learning together provide the foundation children need to make the most of their abilities and talents as they grow up.” (DfE ‘Statutory framework for the early years foundation stage’ document)

Ofsted ensure that appropriate Early Learning Goals are set for each child.Ofsted (the Office for Standards in Education, Children’s Services and Skills) will also regularly check registered childcare settings to make sure that, amongst other things, the EYFS early years framework is being followed appropriately. Part of that will include ensuring that Early Learning Goals are set for each child, are appropriate for them, and are being benchmarked and assessed in all the right ways so that children’s progress is optimal.

What Are the Early Learning Goals (ESGs)?

The Early Learning Goals span five pages of the Department of Education’s EYFS learning and development framework document and these can be read in full in pages 11 to 15 inclusive — click the bold link above to download the document (Acrobat PDF format). To give you an idea, however, they are broken up into a sub-set of goals that address each of the 7 areas of the EYFS curriculum. A few examples follow.

1. Goal Examples for Communication & Language

  • Attentive listening;
  • Understanding what’s being discussed;
  • Responding appropriately;
  • Engaging in two-way conversation about the topic under discussion;
  • Being able to converse one-to-one and as part of a small group;
  • Using appropriate and recently-introduced vocabulary when speaking;
  • Knowing when to use present, past and future tenses and more.

2. Goal Examples for Personal, Social and Emotional Development

  • Demonstrating self-regulation when it comes to behaviour;
  • Controlling impulses appropriately;
  • Being able to follow instructions correctly;
  • Demonstrating the ability to be patient and sensitive to others;
  • Showing tenacity and confidence when facing one or more challenges;
  • Becoming more independent and resilient;
  • Demonstrating the ability to build positive relationships with adults and peers;
  • Managing their own hygiene and personal needs (washing hands etc.);
  • Recognising the importance of a healthy diet and more.

3. Goal Examples for Physical Development

  • The various goals centre mostly around development of good gross and fine motor skills;
  • Demonstrating good balance, strength and coordination;
  • Negotiating obstacles and spaces well, with consideration for others;
  • Good movement skills (running, jumping, dancing, etc.);
  • The ability to effectively hold writing instruments;
  • The ability to to use small tools like scissors, cutlery and paint brushes;
  • Demonstrating accuracy when mark-making (drawing etc.) and more.

4. Goal Examples for Literacy

  • Demonstrating comprehension of subject matter read to them;
  • Use of appropriate feedback and vocabulary about such topics;
  • Showing the ability to make an appropriate sound for each letter of the alphabet;
  • Extending this to multi-syllable words and more complex phonics;
  • Demonstration of correctly written letters, words and sentences … and more.

5. Goal Examples for Mathematics

  • The ability to count, first to 10 and later to 20;
  • Recognition of the patterns within counting progressions;
  • Recognition of quantities without counting;
  • Recognition of odds, evens, number bonds and more.

6. Goal Examples for Understanding the World

  • Demonstrating knowledge of those around them as well as more distant;
  • Appreciation of different cultures, religions and communities;
  • Comprehension of similarities and differences between different societies and groups;
  • Understanding the significance of the past and how it’s different to the present;
  • Exploring and making sense of the natural world around them;
  • Understanding the impact of natural processes like seasons, states of matter and more.

7. Goal Examples for Expressive Arts & Design

  • Safe and appropriate use of creative materials, tools and techniques;
  • Experimentation with colour, texture, form, function and design;
  • Creation/recounting stories, using appropriate props and role-play;
  • Sharing and explaining creations with peers and tutors;
  • Learning and recounting of nursery rhymes and singing of songs;
  • Moving in time to music and much more.

The use of ESGs gives every child the best possible chance of a favourable outcome in their life.When you look at even our very abridged version of the Early Learning Goals, it’s easy to see how large they are in scope, covering a huge number of aspects of every child’s learning and development. Using this approach, with a custom-designed learning and development programme and continual assessment, gives every child the best possible chance for the most favourable outcomes in their lives. Such foundations are priceless and, in short, will give every child the tools to absolutely thrive.

A High Quality Early Years Education for Your Child in Clayhall, Ilford, Essex

Tic Toc Nursery and pre-school offers high quality childcare services in Clayhall, Ilford, Essex (IG5).If you want to give your baby, toddler or under-five child the very best start in life, ensure you choose the best nursery or pre-school for their early years education. Tic Toc Nursery would be an excellent choice if you are looking for the best nurseries or pre-schools in Clayhall, Ilford, in Essex. If you live or work in Barkingside, Gants Hill, Redbridge, South Woodford or Fulwell Cross, we are also conveniently close by — just a few minutes away. To make contact with us, arrange a visit to the childcare setting with your child or simply to ask a question, start the ball rolling by clicking a button below. We’d love to hear from you!

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Why Every Child Should Go to Nursery

Why Every Child Should Go to Nursery / Pre-School

Today we look at the many ways in which good childcare services benefit babies, toddlers & preschoolers, both short & long term.Some first-time parents may be unaware of all the ways in which nurseries and pre-schools nurture and benefit little ones. Some may, perhaps, initially think of them simply as a crèche or playgroup where someone will look after their child, feed them, entertain them and keep them safe while parents/carers are at work. Nurseries and pre-schools do all of those things, of course. However, they’re much, much more than that and benefit little ones in a myriad of additional, often profound ways. Today we’ll take a look at just some of the many ways in which a good childcare service will benefit babies, toddlers and preschoolers in both the short and long term — beginning in the most crucial time in their early years learning and development.

Provision of a Good Early Years Education

As well as looking after little ones in their parents’ absence, good childcare settings will provide babies and children with a good early years education in a vast number of different areas. Examples include an introduction to reading, writing, phonics, arithmetic, knowledge of the world immediately around them, the planet, nature, different cultures, the arts, technology plus a huge array of additional topics. This is all incredibly important and will set them on a good path and one that is based on good educational foundations. It’ll also give them hunger for further learning as they grow and that will help them enormously when the time comes for them to transition to school.

Enhancing Children’s Communication & Language

Good childcare will provide babies and children with skills and a good early years education covering a vast number of different areas.Good childcare settings like nurseries and pre-schools will also help immensely with children’s communication and language skills. A good childcare provider will encourage little ones to listen, comprehend and engage with both their peers and the early years practitioners around them. By getting actively involved with conversations, they’ll enhance language skills, improve comprehension of topics being discussed, and be more able to communicate going forwards.

Improving Children’s Social Skills

Social skills will benefit greatly when under-fives attend a good nursery or pre-school. With enhanced language and communication skills (see above), children will naturally become more self-confident and able to feel they can speak up, take the initiative and engage confidently with both peers and adults. This naturally leads to the making of new friends and even a deepening of existing friendships. With all the different activities on offer at good childcare settings, children will have a natural propensity to play together and often build long-term friendships.

Part of improving social skills is also, of course, the learning of appropriate ways to behave, react and to treat others. Good early years practitioners will help to guide children along appropriate behavioural paths as part of their stewardship. The children will learn from this and such skills will stand them in good stead as they go through life, interacting with others with mutual respect, while minimising potential areas of stress or conflict.

Stronger Soft Skills

Good childcare settings will enhance soft skills like problem-solving, critical thinking, risk assessment and decision-making.Good childcare settings will enhance other soft skills in the children too. For example, children will become better problem-solvers, having been guided by early years practitioners in areas like critical thinking, risk assessment and decision-making. Teamwork, a healthy degree of independence and even leadership skills will also be nurtured along the way. These are all great skills for children to have and to take with them when they leave early years childcare for school when they’re five.

Better Physical Skills & Mobility

Babies, toddlers and children who spend time at good nurseries and pre-schools will also find that they improve in terms of physical skills. With all the different activities, games, facilities and guidance on offer at well-equipped nurseries and pre-schools, infants will learn to hone fine and gross motor skills and improve aspects of movement including balance and coordination. Good childcare settings will also help in terms of the various senses. Sensory stimulation is, indeed, a very important part of children’s learning and development in their early years.

Happier Children who Have Fun

A good nursery and/or pre-school will help prepare children for school — and give them better outcomes for life in general.Children attending good early years settings will also be happy children. With learning mainly achieved through play, it’s naturally going to be a fun environment for them. With games, play equipment, learning activities, creative opportunities and interactions with friends, they can’t help but enjoy the whole process. Nurseries and pre-schools are inherently fun places to be. What’s more, children are learning through play all the time, even if they don’t consciously realise it.

Preparedness for School — & Life

All in all, attending a good nursery and/or pre-school will help prepare children for school — and for life in general. These are life skills and represent the foundations that will allow them to thrive going forwards. They’ll become more rounded individuals, with an enhanced set of personal, physical and cognitive skills and such things can only boost their success in life, as individuals and members of society. A 2011 study by the OECD found that children who had received a good early years education were the equivalent of a year ahead in performance terms by the time they were 15. Other studies have shown that a good early years education will ultimately help with the potential for upward social mobility too. That’s all incredible when you think about it.

A Nursery Place for Your Baby, Toddler or Under 5 Child in Clayhall, Ilford, Essex

Tic Toc Nursery and pre-school offers high quality childcare services in Clayhall, Ilford, Essex (IG5).At Tic Toc Nursery, we fully understand the important impact that an outstanding childcare service can have on young children’s lives. These are their most formative years and we do everything we can to help them absolutely thrive, becoming the best versions of themselves and giving them the tools to succeed long after they’ve left us at the age of five. If you are looking for the best childcare service for your baby or under-five child in the Clayhall/Ilford area of Essex, do consider Tic Toc Nursery. Better still, come and visit the nursery/pre-school with your child and you’ll soon see why Tic Toc Nursery could be an excellent choice. Our nursery and pre-school is located in Clayhall, Ilford (IG5), Essex, also being close to Barkingside, Gants Hill, Redbridge, South Woodford or Fulwell Cross. Make contact with us to learn more, to ask any questions or simply to request a nursery place for your child:

Message UsT: 020 8551 2577 Book a Visit
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Your Child’s “Progress Check at 2” — Explained

Your Child's Progress Check at 2 — Explained

Your Child's Progress Check at 2 — Explained

Children in England are subject to an official Progress Check once they reach the age of 2.Both Ofsted and the Department of Education (DfE) require that all nurseries, pre-schools and early years providers in England adhere to the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) learning and development framework. This prescribes the key areas of focus required for children’s education, learning and development, also providing guidelines and benchmarking for things like safeguarding, welfare and the continual assessment of every child under the age of 5. As part of the assessment element, a Progress Check comes into play for every child once they reach the age of 2.

The Progress Check at 2 — What’s it All About?

The progress check can occur any time from the age of 2 up to the point when children reach the age of 3. It’s a complete review of the child’s progress in key areas of their learning and development. It’s part and parcel of the EYFS’s policy of sharing information between the early years provider, parents and/or carers — and sometimes the child’s health visitor* — in order to support the child’s progress going forwards. The progress check happens jointly and a summary is provided to parents/carers in written form. This will help both the childcare provider to support the child when at nursery, pre-school or similar, and the parents/carers to support the child while they are at home.

The progress report must primarily identify:

  • Any strengths that the child has in relation to the 3 ‘prime’ areas of the EYFS The progress check identifies strengths and any concerns in relation to the 3 'prime' areas of the EYFS. (those areas being Communication and language, Physical development and lastly Personal, social and emotional development);
  • Any concerns about the child’s progress in any of those prime areas, i.e. where their progress has been less than expected. This may even include possible identification of one or more special educational needs or disabilities.

Practitioners may, at their discretion, also summarise strengths and any concerns they have in regard to areas outside the EYFS’s 3 ‘prime’ areas, for example in any of its 4 ‘specific’ areas.

Support Plans

The idea behind appraising the child’s overall progress at this formative age is, of course, to help support the child where they are struggling and, wherever possible, to help mitigate any issues at an early stage. Part of this may include involving the childcare setting’s Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator (SENCo), health professional* or indeed any other professional(s)*, if deemed appropriate.

“Support plans may include strategies and specific activities to undertake when they’re at the early years/childcare setting and, crucially, also when they’re at home.”

The progress check allows early years professionals and parents to support children via a focused strategy, with specific activities to help them.A support plan will be developed to precisely target any areas of concern, in order to support the child in the best ways. As much as is possible, it should help them catch up before they begin school, all being well. Such an aim is incredibly important at this young age, otherwise the child may be held back educationally and/or developmentally, going forwards, in a kind of domino effect.

Support plans may include strategies and specific activities to undertake when they’re at the early years/childcare setting and, crucially, also when they’re at home.

The progress check is also, of course, a very useful tool to pass on to any new early years provider should the family move. Doing so will allow the early years practitioners at the new setting to be better informed and thereby better able to support the child in the most appropriate way.

A Clarification Regarding the HCP’s 2 Year Review

The progress check at 2, undertaken by early years providers (nurseries etc.), is not to be confused with the Healthy Child Programme (HCP) and its 2 year review, although the two may be closely linked. The HCP 2 year review is undertaken, in parallel, by healthcare professionals, usually a health visitor, around a similar age (2 to 2½). It is focused primarily on health, immunisation uptake, physical and mental development and wellbeing and also offers some parenting support. Although, strictly speaking, it’s a different review to the early years ‘progress check at 2’, it does make sense to ‘join the dots’ and to integrate the findings of the two together. The Progress Check at 2 often goes hand-in-hand with the Healthy Child Programme (HCP)'s 2 year review.One should inform the other. Indeed they may sometimes be carried out together if your child has started going to a nursery or similar. The timing of the two types of review is no coincidence, as the age of 2 is a key one in respect to the development of speech, language and social, emotional and cognitive development. Clearly such things can be linked to health/development as well as to early learning, so there is a clear cross-over. Hence, one ideally feeding into the other, to gain a more complete understanding and wider picture for each child. For this reason, parents/carers are encouraged to allow the sharing* of information from the early years progress check with professionals like their health visitor where appropriate.

We hope that this helps to explain the progress check at the age of 2, but if you have any questions, please contact your child’s early years/childcare provider — including Tic Toc if your child attends the Ilford nursery.

Nursery Places for Babies & Children Under 5 at Tic Toc Nursery, Clayhall, Ilford

Tic Toc Nursery and pre-school offers high quality childcare services in Clayhall, Ilford, Essex (IG5).Are you looking for outstanding childcare services for your baby or under-five child in the Clayhall/Ilford area of Essex? If so, take a closer look at Tic Toc Nursery, where our high quality early years practitioners, facilities and approach to early years learning and development gives little ones the very best start in life. Why not visit the nursery/pre-school with your child to see for yourself! We’ll be happy to show you around and to answer any questions that you might have. We are a high quality nursery and pre-school in Clayhall, Ilford (IG5), in Essex and are also convenient for childcare if you live or work in Barkingside, Gants Hill, Redbridge, South Woodford or Fulwell Cross. We welcome enquiries, so please get in touch to learn more or to request a nursery place for your child (please choose an option below):

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* Information is shared with third parties only with the consent of the child’s parent(s) and/or carer(s), except where required to do so by law.

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FREE Childcare for Eligible 2-Year-Olds

FREE Childcare for Eligible 2-Year-Olds

FREE Childcare for Eligible 2-Year-Olds

The Government scheme entitles eligible 2-year-olds to 570 hours of free childcare over the course of a year.Having covered free childcare funding for 3 and 4-year-olds in England last time, we now look at free childcare for eligible 2-year-olds. Specifically, we’re looking at the Government’s scheme that entitles eligible 2-year-olds to 570 hours of free childcare over the course of a year. This is usually taken as 15 hours per week over 38 weeks, however some childcare settings can cater for a different pattern, if feasible.

The Benefits of Free Childcare Funding for 2-Year-Olds

Free childcare for 2-year-olds can be an absolute godsend for working families, often helping them to boost both household income and quality of life by being able to work while their child is safely cared for at a nursery.

It’s also hugely beneficial to the 2-year-old child, who benefits from an early start on their education. This allows them to receive an educational boost in readiness for school as they approach the age of five, meaning they can be several steps ahead, right from the moment they start. This can have a welcome domino effect. Starting early education by the age of two can lead to long-term gains including better outcomes in their lives and even eventually in their careers. Starting early education by the age of two can lead to better outcomes in the medium and long term.Such benefits, stemming from their experience at the age of just two, are incredible when you think about it. The findings are backed up by various studies around the world, including by the UK’s own Department of Education.

So, whichever way you look at it, free childcare funding for 2-year-olds is a great thing for children who are eligible — and their families.

What’s Included or Excluded

The free funding for 2-year-olds can be used to cover only the actual childcare, not any ‘extras’. According to HM Government’s rules, the funding does not cover meals, snacks, nappies and things like sun cream, nor does it cover extra-curricular activities like trips. Such things may be charged as extra by the chosen childcare provider, so it’s best to clarify such things directly with them to avoid any unexpected costs.

If you’re located in the Clayhall or Ilford area of Essex, the good news is that Tic Toc Nursery is a participant in the scheme and accepts the funding as payment for the childcare of eligible 2-year-olds.

Eligibility for Free Childcare Funding for 2-Year-Olds

Children may also be eligible if they have Special Education Needs (SEN).Unlike the free childcare hours for 3 and 4-year-olds, eligibility for 2-year-olds requires that the family is receiving some kind of financial support from the Government. Examples include Income Support, income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance or Employment & Support Allowance, Universal Credit (with a household annual income below £15,400 after tax, excluding benefit payments), Child Tax Credits (with a household income below £16,190 before tax), Pension Credit (the guaranteed component) or the Working Tax Credit “4-week run-on” payment.

Figures correct at time of writing (June 2022).

2-year-olds can also be eligible for the free childcare funding if:
• a local authority looks after them;
• they officially have special education needs or are subject to an EHC (Education, Health & Care) plan;
• they receive Disability Living Allowance;
• they have left care via a Child Arrangements Order, Special Guardianship or Adoption Order.

Tic Toc Nursery accepts Government funding for the childcare of eligible 2, 3 and 4-year-olds.The rules above apply to childcare in England. Special rules apply to families in England that are non-EEA citizens(∞). Different rules and schemes also apply in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

When Can Eligible 2-Year-Olds Start?

Eligible 2-year-olds can begin using the free childcare hours in the term beginning on or after the 1st of January, 1st of April or 1st of September following their 2nd birthday.

How to Apply for Free Childcare Funding for 2-Year-Olds

Check the eligibility requirements above and, if you you believe your child is eligible, we advise you to have a chat with your childcare provider to get the ball rolling. Tic Toc Nursery would be happy to discuss this with you if you are looking for childcare in the Clayhall/Ilford area, so do get in touch if so. You can alternatively contact your local council.

Free Childcare for Eligible 2-Year-Olds at Tic Toc Nursery, Clayhall, Ilford

Tic Toc Nursery and pre-school offers high quality childcare services in Clayhall, Ilford, Essex (IG5).Tic Toc Nursery accepts Government childcare funding for eligible 2-year-olds as well as eligible 3 and 4-year-olds — subject to capacity at the nursery/pre-school, of course. So, if you would like to register your child for a place, or explore the possibility of doing so, we’d love to hear from you. The nursery/pre-school is based in Clayhall, Ilford (IG5), in Essex and is also located conveniently near you if you are looking for the best nurseries or pre-schools near Barkingside, Gants Hill, Redbridge, South Woodford and Fulwell Cross. We would welcome your enquiry, so please contact us (see option buttons below):

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Free Childcare for Your 3 or 4-Year-Old

How to Get Free Childcare for Your 3 or 4-Year-Old

How to Get Free Childcare for Your 3 or 4-Year-Old

Eligible 3 & 4-year-old children can get 570 to 1140 hours of free childcare per year.You may have heard about the Government’s free childcare schemes for children aged 3 and 4, giving them between 15 and 30 hours of free childcare on a weekly basis. These ‘free funded hours’ give eligible children anywhere from 570 to 1140 hours of free childcare per year at a suitably registered, Government-approved childcare setting. Tic Toc Nursery is one such setting in Clayhall, Ilford, and we’re happy to support the schemes to make childcare more affordable for families. But how do the free childcare schemes work? What are the rules? More importantly, is your child eligible? In today’s post we give you answers to these and many other questions relating to free, funded childcare hours for 3 and 4-year-olds in England.

The ‘15 Hours’ Free Childcare Scheme for 3 & 4-Year-Olds

The good news is that pretty much all 3 and 4-year-old children living in England are eligible for 15 hours of funded childcare per week, across 38 weeks of the year. It’s not means-tested, nor is eligibility affected by whether parents/guardians are working — or unemployed.

This scheme allows 3 and 4-year-olds to receive free childcare for 15 hours per week and this is usually taken over the course of 38 weeks per annum. However, it must total no more than 570 hours in any one year. Exactly how the hours are spread out can vary, though, so long as:

  1. the childcare setting agrees to the adjustment in how the hours are spread out and;
  2. it still totals no more than 570 hours over the course of the year after adjustment.

Children are eligible once they reach the age of 3 and they can start at approved childcare settings in the term following that birthday. Terms at childcare settings usually start early in January, April or September. The children remain eligible for this free childcare scheme until they start in Reception year at school or reach the age of 5, the legal age at which full-time education becomes compulsory in the UK.

Applying for the ‘15 Hours’ Free Childcare Scheme

To apply for 15 hours of free childcare per week for your 3 or 4-year-old at Tic Toc Nursery in Ilford, please contact the nursery and we’ll be happy to help. If you’re elsewhere in England, you can apply by contacting your proposed childcare provider or through your local council.

Please note that funding for the free childcare hours is paid direct to the registered childcare setting, not you/your child. Claims cannot be backdated.

The ‘30 Hours’ Free Childcare Scheme for 3 & 4-Year-Olds

Eligible 3 and 4-year-olds can top up the standard 15 hours with an additional 15 hours per week, over 38 weeks of the year.Eligible 3 and 4-year-olds can top up the standard 15 hour scheme with an additional 15 hours per week, potentially giving them 30 hours per week of free childcare over 38 weeks of the year. As before, it’s sometimes possible to use the hours so they’re spread out differently, so long as they total no more than 1140 hours per annum. Again, the childcare setting would also need to agree the alternative pattern.

Rules around the top-up to 30 hours per week are more stringent than the standard ‘15 hours’ scheme, however. That means that not every 3 or 4-year-old will be eligible, although many families will still fit the criteria. Let’s take a look at the requirements:

  • Your child must usually be living with you in order for them to be eligible for the ‘30 hours’ funding scheme.
  • You (and your partner, if applicable)1 must have a National Insurance number and either be UK nationals, have settled/pre-settled status (or have applied for it), or hold a UK residence card that allows access to UK public funding. You must also usually be working2 (or re-starting work in the next 31 days), earning at least the total amount you’d earn in a quarter if you worked for 16 hours per week at the National Living Wage (or National Minimum Wage if under 25), but no more than £100k total in the relevant tax year. While the bottom threshold cannot include interest on savings, dividends, property investment income nor pension payments, the top £100k threshold must include any bonuses.

Rules around the top-up to 30 hours per week are more stringent than the standard ‘15 hours’ scheme.Eligibility for the ‘30 hours’ funding is also not usually affected if you are claiming Tax-Free Childcare, Universal Credit, Tax Credits or childcare vouchers. You cannot claim, however, if someone else is already claiming the funding or Tax-Free Childcare for the child in question.

Applying for the ‘30 Hours’ Free Childcare Scheme

If you believe you meet all the criteria, you can apply for the 30 hours of free childcare for your child here. N.B. If you are a foster parent, you will need to apply instead via your local authority or through your social worker.

As with the ‘15 hours’ scheme, the funding for the ‘30 hours’ of free childcare per week is paid direct to the registered childcare setting, not to you/your child. A code will be provided for you to give the setting, so they can access the funding allocated for your own particular child. As before, claims cannot be backdated.

Free Childcare Schemes are Accepted at Tic Toc Nursery & Pre-School in Clayhall, Ilford.

Tic Toc Nursery and pre-school offers high quality childcare services in Clayhall, Ilford, Essex (IG5).Children absolutely flourish at Tic Toc and we support the Government schemes for free childcare, subject to eligibility and capacity. We are a family-run nursery and pre-school, offering high quality childcare services in Clayhall, Ilford, Essex (IG5). Our setting will also be a convenient for your child if you are looking for nurseries, pre-schools or childcare services near Barkingside, Gants Hill, Redbridge, South Woodford, Fulwell Cross, Fairlop, Grange Hill, Hainault or Newbury Park.

Please get in touch if you would like to arrange a visit, find answers to any questions or simply to enrol your baby, toddler or under-five child for a place at the nursery:

Message UsT: 020 8551 2577 Book a Visit

1. Your partner’s employment and income does not affect eligibility for 30 hours funding if they live elsewhere for more than 6 months of the year or if they are serving a prison sentence.
2. If you are not working but your partner is, your child may still be eligible if you are currently claiming Carer’s Allowance, Incapacity Benefit, Severe Disablement Allowance or contribution-based Employment & Support Allowance. You, and your partner if applicable, may still apply if on sick leave, annual leave or parental leave although rules apply.

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Tic Toc Nursery in Ilford is under new ownership and management

Tic Toc Nursery in Ilford is under new ownership and management.

Tic Toc Nursery in Ilford is under new ownership and management. We are currently in the process of refurbishing our nursery to provide a calm, cosy yet stimulating environment for our children. We are so excited for the journey ahead and privileged to be part of the early years for our Tic Toc children. We look forward to working with all our parents to form a unique and loving nursery community.

We are proud to be a diverse nursery, with staff and children from all backgrounds and cultures. If you are looking for a place for your little one, please do get in touch to book a visit. We very much look forward to welcoming you to Tic Toc!

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