Support for families & childcare

Families Information Service

The Families Information Service offers help and advice on issues that affect you and your family. The free service is open to anyone in Royal Greenwich with children up to the age of 19 (or up to 25 for families with disabled young people).

You can get information about educations, early years, school services, children with disabilities, benefits and work.

Find out how the Families Information Service can support you

Local Offers

If you have a child with special educational needs and disabilities then take a look at the Local Offer for a range of support and advice for families.

You can find out more on the Greenwich Community Directory webpage

Young mothers

Having a child when you are young does not mean you cannot continue your education or are not able to receive support from the Council.

See resources available including childcare and education

Free early learning

Free early learning places are available in Royal Greenwich for some two-year-old and all three and four-year-old children.

Find out what support you can have for two year olds

Find out what support you can have for three and four year olds

Get help finding childcare

The Families Information Service can offer advice on identifying financial support to help with the cost of childcare while you study, train or work.

You can find out if you are eligible for financial support for childcare costs by using the GOV.UK calculator

Contact the team, and find additional resources from the Families Information Service

Children’s centres

There are 23 children’s centres around the borough that offer free or low-cost activities for children under five years old, parents, carers and their families.

Find cheap or free activities at your local children’s centre

Tax Free Childcare

You can get up to £500 every three months (up to £2,000 a year) for each of your children to help with the costs of childcare. This goes up to £1,000 every three months if a child is disabled (up to £4,000 a year).

If you get Tax Free Childcare, you’ll set up an online childcare account for your child. For every £8 you pay into this account, the Government will pay in £2 to use to pay your provider.

You can get Tax Free Childcare at the same time as 30 hours free childcare if you’re eligible for both.

Check if you are eligible on the Gov.uk website

Clothing and school trip grants

If you receive a qualifying benefit and you have a child in primary or secondary school, you may be able to school clothing grants or school journey grants for your child.

Check to see if you are eligible and apply