Leeds Beckett University - City Campus,
Woodhouse Lane,
LS1 3HE
childcare and schools
On this page you will find information about different childcare options which are available, as well as information on our university's breastfeeding and baby changing facilities.Â
For the most accurate information regarding local childcare provision, please visit the family information page on the Leeds City Council website where you will also find information about local schools, their admissions procedures and holiday dates.
Childcare
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.
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.
Independent / private nurseries and those run by the voluntary sector offer both full- and part-time daycare 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.
We have an arrangement with North Leeds Community Nursery, which is on the edge of the Headingley Campus on the grounds of what was Beckett Park Primary School. Please contact them for more information.
- Manger: Elaine Tocknell
- Tel: 0113 274 1579
- Email: nlcn.1@btinternet.com
- Address: Foxcroft Close, Headingley, LS6 3NT
Leeds City Council also run a selection of nurseries across Leeds. You can use their finder tool on the family information page to find the closest one to you.
There are 37 Early Years Centres are managed by the Childcare and Early Development Service of the Leeds City Council.
They provide a quality pre-school experience that offers a balance of care and education for children under five.
Some Early Years Centres also provide an out of school facility, which caters for school-age children up to the age of 11 years.
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 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.
A play scheme offers day care for children during the school holidays.
Some offer full day care (looking after children from 09:00 until 17:00) and some offer sessional care only (morning or afternoon).
All holiday play schemes 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.
Are there breastfeeding and baby changing facilities on campus?
The Equality Act 2010 gives explicit protection to women who breastfeed in public places. It is also unlawful to ask students not to breastfeed in public places and we aim to support new mothers where possible.
Should you prefer, specific rooms can be provided to breastfeed babies in private.
- City Campus - contact the Student Services Centre in the Leslie Silver Building
- Headingley Campus - contact the Student Services Centre in the Priestley Building
Baby changing facilities are available at:
- Headingley Campus - Disabled toilets in Campus Central (next to the printer) and at the back of the Food Court (RG25)
- Northern Terrace - Ground floor (G19)
- Rose Bowl - Disabled toilets on level 1
Two high chairs are available in the food courts at City Campus and Headingley Campus. Please ask a member of staff for assistance with setting these up.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
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.
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.
For the most accurate information on childcare assistance, please see the gov.uk pages on getting assistance with childcare costs and Student Finance extra help.
