Access to education and childcare
All children and young people arriving under the Ukraine Family Scheme and Homes for Ukraine have the right to access state education whilst in the UK. Going to school is vital. It helps children integrate into the communities they live in.
In the UK, children aged 5 to 16 are required to be in full-time education. Parents and carers should contact the local council for guidance on applying for a school.
The local council supporting you and your family will help you with accessing this. This can either be:
- within a free state-funded school
- within an independent school (also known as a private school or public school). They will normally charge fees for your child’s education; or
- you can choose to home-educate your child.
Early Years and Childcare information
Early years resources and children with special educational needs (SEN) or disabilities
Early Years and Childcare Information for Ukrainian Welcome Pack [Russian translation] [PDF, 0.1MB]
In England, early years care and education is not compulsory. But it is available for all children up to the age of 5. This includes children with special educational needs or disabilities (SEND). Play provision is also available through breakfast clubs, after-school clubs and school holiday play schemes. As a parent or carer, you choose if you want your child to attend one of these provisions. It is also up to you to pick the type that will be the best fit.
Early years education in England follows a play-based approach. You can expect your child to spend their time in many different play activities inside and outside. All early years provision follows government guidance which includes regulations about things like:
- staff numbers and qualifications
- how to keep children safe
- the curriculum that is followed.
Children’s books in Ukrainian
Cambridgeshire Libraries has a set of children's books in Ukrainian. Those wishing to borrow books can pop into the Cambridge Central Library. Collections are also available at St Ives and Ely libraries.
Guests can also request books for free on a child’s library card. The books will be delivered to their local library anywhere in Cambridgeshire, and you can pick them up from there.
Find your local libraries here: Your library - Cambridgeshire County Council. You can also browse the library service’s e-book selection on Libby.
Childcare provisions
- Day Nursery - Usually open from 8am to 6pm all year (excluding bank holidays). They take children aged 0 to 5 years. They may also care for older children in the school holidays or after school. Meals and snacks are usually included in the fee.
- Pre-school - Usually open from 9am to 3pm in school term time. They usually take children aged 2 to 5 years. They offer morning, afternoon, or full-day sessions. Meals are not normally included. This means you might be asked to provide a packed lunch for your child.
- Childminder - Registered childminders are self-employed childcare professionals. They work in their own homes caring for other people’s children. They care for small numbers of children in their home-setting and will often care for a range of ages. Childminders can be flexible and offer patterns of childcare to support many families. Just like other provision, childminders are regulated and inspected. Some childminders can offer funded early education sessions for 2, 3 and 4-year-olds.
- After School and School Holiday Clubs - Usually open between 3:30pm and 6pm and often take place at a school site. There will be a fee for your child to attend which usually includes snacks and drinks. You can ask for details at the school your child goes to.
How to find early years or childcare provisions
Check the Cambridgeshire County Council Directory of Services or phone 0345 045 1360.
How is childcare funded?
For eligible working families in England, the following is available for children aged 2-4 years:
- up to 15 hours of early education over 38 weeks of the year for 2 year olds
- up to 30 hours of early education over 38 weeks of the year for 3-4 year olds
These hours can be used flexibly with one or more childcare providers.
For more information or to make a claim go to Childcare Choices.
Children with special educational needs or disabilities (SEND)
Early years providers often help children with SEND. They may apply for extra funding to help your child. If your child has SEND and you want advice about early years provision, email ey.send@cambridgeshire.gov.uk.
The Education System in England
A guide for parents about the education system in England
The Bell Foundation offers guidance for parents on how to get involved in school life and help their children learn. There are guides covering many useful topics, such as primary and secondary schools. They are available in different languages including Ukrainian and Russian.
School places
Children of families who come to the UK under the Government schemes are entitled to a school place. In England, you are required to ensure that any of your children aged 5 to 16 get a full-time education. Children will normally begin to attend school, full-time, in September after their 4th birthday. However, you have the option of taking up a place part-time until the start of the term immediately after the child turns 5.
Or, you can keep your child at home or in a nursery while they are 4. You can then apply for your child to start school from the start of the term following their 5th birthday. But, your choice of school may be more limited. It is likely, at least in your first year, that you will need to apply for ‘in-year’ admissions.
Cambridgeshire County Council is responsible for education in Cambridgeshire. Go to their website for information on how to apply for a school place for your child.
Anyone facing problems finding school places can email the admissions team:
Free school meals
Cambridgeshire County Council has shared an application form that eligible guest families can use to apply for temporary entitlement to Free School meals and Holiday Vouchers [PDF, 0.2MB].
School transport
The rules on school transport mean that if guests move locations, transport is only provided to the designated school that children should attend in their new location – this will be the catchment school and/or the school closest to the child’s address. This will mean it is likely parents will need to talk to Cambridgeshire County Council to arrange moving schools, or provide alternative transport themselves.
In some cases, free travel help may be available to pupils. But, to get it, you must meet the eligibility criteria. More information can be found at:
Student and University Support
Support Scheme for visiting Ukrainian Postgraduate Research Students and Academics
The Ukrainian Academic Support Scheme has been set up to support colleagues from Ukrainian Universities and other Higher Education Institutions who are seeking refuge from the war. It has now closed to ‘registration of interest’. However, the scheme hopes to reopen for ‘registration of interest’ again in the future.
The scheme provides funding for up to 20 Postgraduate research students and academics from Ukraine, irrespective of nationality. They can use it to continue their studies and research in Cambridge for 6 to 12 months. It offers financial support, accommodation and access to a range of university services. Applicants are expected to remain employed (academics) or enrolled (postgraduate research students) at their home institution in Ukraine.
More details can be found on the University of Cambridge website.
Future work or education opportunities
Help for refugees aged 15 to 25 to discover future work and education opportunities
Form the Future is part of the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Region of Learning. It offers help to unemployed Ukrainian refugees aged 15 to 24. It involves helping them figure out what to do next in education or employment.
Examples of the activities are:
- basic skills, such as language and numeracy
- personalised CV and application writing support
- work experience
- future career path needs assessment
- 1 to 1 career guidance and mentoring
- self-employment and micro-business training
- personal development and confidence building activities
Guests should register their interest.
If you have any other questions, contact Form the Future on 01223 679876 or email tpluck@formthefuture.org.uk
Free courses from WEA
The Workers’ Educational Association (WEA) offers courses free of charge for eligible applicants aged 19+ with low incomes (below £21,000). More information can be found on wea.org.uk or call 0300 303 34 64.
Cambridgeshire Skills
Cambridgeshire County Council’s adult learning service offers free courses for adults who are refugees. This includes courses such as:
- Functional Skills
- Digital Skills
- Introduction to Word
- Employability Courses
To book an initial assessment, or other enquiries, contact the admissions office on Cambsals@cambridgeshire.gov.uk or via their website.