Care and Education

Islington's Sure Start children’s centres provide flexible full and part-time childcare and education places from the age of six months until your child starts school. They are open Monday to Friday, from 8am to 6pm, for at least 48 weeks a year.

Places are allocated in the nurseries, using Islington’s Under Five’s Admissions Policy. You can click on the link at the bottom of this page to download a copy of the Admissions Policy. To apply for a place, please contact or drop in to your local centre.

Due to high demand, you may not be offered a place straight away, particularly if your child is under three, but you will be put on a waiting list. If necessary, the centre may be able to advise you of vacancies at other nurseries in the area, or introduce you to local childminders, many of whom use the children’s centre as a base.

Childcare Costs

The daycare charges structure for childcare at Islington’s children’s centres has been developed in consultation with Islington parents. The amount you pay will depend on how much you and your partner are earning. Please check the Downloadable Document at the bottom of this page to find a guide to weekly daycare charges for Islington children's centres. It is important to note that these fees can vary depending on circumstances - please contact the children's centre you are interested in applying to for further information.

Help with Childcare Costs

If you need advice on how to claim the childcare element of your Working Tax Credit, please speak to a member of staff at your local children's centre. You can also get information from the HM Revenue Benefit web pages at the right of this page or call HM Revenue on 0845 300 3900.

Free Nursery Education

The term after your child turns three, you are entitled to 15 hours of free nursery education for your child during term time, whether you are working or not. At Islington’s children’s centres, the term after your child’s fourth birthday, you are entitled to free childcare for your child from 9.30am to 3.30pm during term time. Please speak to our staff for further details.

Islington Family Information Service

Islington Family Information Service (FIS) can answer your questions about finding and paying for childcare. Please call 020 7527 5959 or go to the FIS web pages by clicking on the link to the right of this page. The FIS also holds regular advice sessions at many of the children’s centres. Ask at your local centre when the next session will be running or click on the Centre Activities link on the right of this page.