Childcare
Childcare (0-5 years old)
University nursery places tend to be very popular, so it is worth investigating what your options are well in advance and joining a waiting list as a first step, if you intend to bring your family with you.
The Childcare Services Team has an overview of what places are available across the University and should be your first port of call. The University Childcare Services manages multisite nursery provision which comprises five University nurseries and works with a further 11 nurseries where dedicated nursery places are available for University staff and student parents. An overview of the university nursery options available can be found on the University Childcare Services web pages. The Childcare Services Team will always try to help and offer an alternative if they are not able to offer exactly what you need initially.
If you are new to the University of Oxford and will require childcare when you arrive, but have yet to be given an SSO (single sign-on) log in, please contact the childcare services team (email: childcare@admin.ox.ac.uk ) for a manual application form. If you are a current student, you can apply as soon as you know you are expecting a baby. You must have been offered and met all requirements for taking up a place at the University of Oxford.
You may also apply to nurseries run by other colleges – Balliol, St Anne’s, Somerville, St John’s and Wolfson – although their own students will be prioritised. Descriptions and links can be found at this page: College nurseries | Childcare Services (ox.ac.uk)
An updated list of Nursery fees can be found on the Childcare Services website.
Government funding is available to help with the cost of nursery fees. Some families may be entitled to up to 30 hours of free care per week, depending on personal circumstances. Please refer to the Government Funded Hours section of the Childcare Services website.
For more information on the finance for early years provision, the following websites are helpful:
Free early education for 3 – 4 year olds | Oxfordshire County Council
For more information about University provision, see Families and childcare | University of Oxford
For more information about external nurseries, see Day nurseries | Oxfordshire County Council and Applying for a nursery place | Oxfordshire County Council .
If you have (or are expecting) a baby, start here: The Oxford Baby Base – Daily Info | Daily Info
Schools (4-18 years old)
If your child or children is/are 5 years or older (or will turn 5 during the coming academic year), you will need to consider school places. We recommend that you apply as early as possible as school places fill fast (particularly for younger children) and be prepared for the fact that the school your child is allocated to will not necessarily be very close to your accommodation. You may appeal for a place at the school you want if you have not been offered a place there. Guidance and further information on making an appeal can be found at the following link:
Appealing for a school place | Oxfordshire County Council
If you are applying for a school place late, there is a link for student parents in this situation: https://service.oxfordshire.gov.uk/lateapplication
Oxford County Council’s information for parents and carers of children due to start reception (4-7 years old) or primary/junior school (7-11 years old) in September 2025 can be found here:
Reception applications | Oxfordshire County Council
Junior Year 3 transfer | Oxfordshire County Council
You can find details of the process, schedule, and online application form at:
Apply for a school place | Oxfordshire County Council
If you are moving from overseas you will need to provide proof of your new Oxford address
School transfer – moving house | Oxfordshire County Council
Since you are only able to apply for your visa a maximum of six months before your course start date, realistically this may mean that your child may not have a school place at the very beginning of the school year (early September). Refer to this link about applying for a visa if you are planning to come to Oxford from overseas with your family.
Visas for your family | University of Oxford
Secondary schools (aged 11-18 years)
The closest secondary state schools to central Oxford are Cherwell, Cheney, and Oxford Spires Academy. Matthew Arnold is located to the west of the city.
Council admissions page:
Year 7 – secondary school applications | Oxfordshire County Council
There are also a number of independent (fee paying schools) in Oxford and it may be worth referring to some comparison sites if you are considering this option; however, do bear in mind that parents’ opinions, reputations and selection based on exam results and overall school performance can vary considerably year on year.
The gov.uk website also has a useful overview of the different types of schools and the education system in the UK: Schools and education – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Standard qualifications obtainable at secondary school are GCSEs (General Certificate of Secondary Education) (usually studied between ages 14 to 16) and A-levels (General Certificate of Education Advanced Level) (usually studied between ages 16 to 18). Be aware that if you are moving into the system in the middle of either of these periods it may be difficult for your child to catch up and this may restrict their choice of subjects. Entry to A-levels is generally dependent on standard of achievement in GCSEs or equivalent.
School uniform
School uniform and equipment can be bought at Marks & Spencer, H&M, Primark and often at the Sainsbury’s or Tesco superstores, as well as the more expensive specialist shops. Ensure you get the uniform list from your school before buying as there can be strict specifications.
Childcare and babysitting
Depending on your course, you may be required to attend modules in the late afternoon and evening. Also, many college activities take place in the evenings (to avoid clashes with course requirements). You may need to find babysitters, after-schools clubs or other childcare in order to maintain your commitments as a student. We recommend that you look into this before you need it as it may not be easy to find in an emergency. See Out of school clubs and holiday playschemes | Oxfordshire County Council for a directory of before and after school clubs.
If your children are at school, you should also be aware of and make provision for the week-long half-term breaks which will fall in the middle of each of the Oxford terms; see School term dates and holidays | Oxfordshire County Council. Student parents continuing from a previous year may be able to help you find out what sort of care may be available. Depending on the age of your child(ren), there are several holiday activity clubs running in and around Oxford, for example Oxford Active | Summer Camps & After School Clubs – Join The Fun!, Coding Summer Camps for Kids: Tech Camps from FunTech UK and Create Club — OMS (oxfordmontessori.co.uk). Do look out for discounted student rates at the following link: Additional childcare | Childcare Services (ox.ac.uk).
Green Templeton unfortunately, can not provide any childcare or baby-sitting facilities. College staff do not routinely undergo Disclosure and Barring Service checks (DBS; formerly Criminal Records Bureau or CRB checks) and therefore they are not permitted to supervise children.
There are several websites for locating childcare or baby-sitters, for example through the council at Home childcarers, nannies, au pairs and babysitters | Oxfordshire County Council, Oxfordshire Family Information Service (OxonFIS) | Oxfordshire County Council or privately on sites such as Childcare.co.uk – The easy way to find local childcare.
Green Templeton childcare fund
Green Templeton College recognises that the cost of childcare can be a barrier to student parents/carers participating fully in college and University activities. As a gesture of support to our student parent community, all currently enrolled Green Templeton student parents/carers can apply for up to £100 per academic year to pay for childcare for a dependent child or children aged under 16, where that childcare will allow the student to participate in the college community or carry out work related to their course of study. Please refer to our Funding and Awards page for further details of how to apply, and examples of what this bursary has been used for.
