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5.2 Childcare and Schools

Arrangements for children will largely depend upon their age. In the UK the local County Council is the government agency in charge of regulating schools and childcare. Royal Holloway is located in Surrey and so most students live in this county. The Surrey County Council has a website which provides information on all of its services including schools and the regulation of childcare. The website is www.surreycc.gov.uk Information about schools and childcare can be found using the site search engine.

Generally children in the UK start school between the ages of 4 and 5 and it is mandatory for children to attend school between the ages of 5 and 16. Schools run by the government are free of charge and the students attending are normally from the geographical area around the school. Therefore, it will not normally be possible to apply for a school until you know exactly where you will be living. In general most school children will be required to wear a school uniform. Uniforms for most publicly funded schools are simple and practical. Details about the school's uniform and where they can be purchased are available from individual schools.

There is a wide variety of childcare available for children who are not yet school age; this includes nurseries, crèches and childminders. Information about the types of childcare available and a list of registered childcare providers is available through the website listed above. Please be aware that childcare in the London area, including Surrey is expensive. It is unlikely that care can be found for less than £3.50 per hour per child, and costs can go as high as £7.00 per hour per child. There is a nursery, Little Echoes, at the College providing care for children between the ages of 2 and 5. Space at the nursery is limited and there is often a waiting list. Little Echoes can be contacted on (+44) 1784 433279. In addition, the Sports Centre on campus offers childcare for school children, from the age of 5, during school holidays and half-term breaks. Information about this service is available from the Sports Centre and registration forms are normally made available a few weeks before the holiday.

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