Share your views on the 0-2 Childcare Policy consultation
We know that the early years are crucial to a child’s development and that childcare can be an essential offer for families.
We’re thinking about options for 0-2 Childcare in the City of London. This relates to the care of a child aged zero to two-years-old provided by registered childcare in the City of London. By this we mean nurseries and pre-schools registered with Ofsted.
We want to hear about what’s important to you if you are 18-years-old or over. We look forward, in particular, to hearing from:
- parents and carers who currently access 0-2 Childcare in the City of London
- people who are thinking about using 0-2 Childcare in the City of London in the future
- people who work in a childcare setting or related service in the City of London
- people with interests in 0-2 Childcare in the City of London
The consultation is now live and will remain open until Friday 2 May.
Hard copies will be left at libraries across the City of London and will be collected when the consultation has closed.
If you would prefer to offer your views in person, with or without the help of an interpreter or using large print or braille, or would like the survey in a different format please email the Education and Early Years team.
If you are under 18-years-old and would like to share your views please do not complete this survey and instead email the Education and Early Years team so we can arrange the best way for you to do that.
Drop-in events
We are also running some drop-in events where you can pop in and share your views:
- Friday 25 April – 7.50 to 9am at the Aldgate School
- Tuesday 29 April – 4.30 to 5.30pm at the Sir Ralph Perring Centre
Your voice matters and will help us ensure the 0-2 Childcare Policy meets the needs of residents.
Some background information you might find useful:
Government’s childcare offer
The national Government has a childcare offer for children aged nine months to four years old. Find out more about their offer on the Government website.
Childcare in the City of London
You can read more about childcare in the City of London on our Childcare webpage.
What’s currently on offer?
The City Corporation currently contributes funding to all childcare places at the Aldgate School. This is a financial subsidy which is in addition to what is offered by national Government as part of its childcare scheme. This agreement is discretionary, which means there is no legal duty on the local authority to provide this and it is in place until the end of August 2026.
In addition, City of London residents can apply to the City Childcare Accessibility Scheme to get help towards childcare costs if the family meets any of three criteria :
- The child has additional needs but does have an Education, Health and Care Plan
- The family has a combined annual income of less than £55,000
- The family is referred by a professional
Why are we consulting?
In January 2025, elected Members of the Community and Children’s Services Committee agreed to subsidise 0-2 Childcare at the Aldgate School until the end of August 2026. They also agreed to consult on options for a 0-2 Childcare Policy that would start from September 2026.
What are the options for 0-2 Childcare?
We have developed some options for 0-2 Childcare from September 2026:
- Keep the subsidy for 0-2 Childcare provision at the Aldgate School as it is, for City of London residents and non-residents.
- Change the subsidy to the Aldgate School for childcare provision so that it is only for City of London residents.
- Change the subsidy to the Aldgate School for childcare provision so that there are different levels of subsidy for City residents and non-City residents.
- Review the City Childcare Accessibility Scheme eligibility criteria so more families can access it and remove the subsidy to the Aldgate School.
- Explore a combination of a subsidy to the Aldgate School 0-2 Childcare provision and a review of the City Childcare Accessibility Scheme.
- Remove the subsidy for childcare provision at the Aldgate School and the City Childcare Accessibility Scheme
These options are not based on saving us money. The money available is the same for all options, however it may be distributed differently depending on the option.
The findings from this consultation will inform childcare policy options which are put to Members of the Community and Children's Services Committee for decision.