Holiday Childcare Scheme

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The Tower Hamlets Holiday Childcare Scheme is Ofsted registered and provides childcare for children aged 3 to 13 years old.

The schemes take place during the school holidays, (excluding the Christmas break) within a Tower Hamlets school. See our activity plan for the full timetable of activities available. 

Next scheme

Monday 26 October to Friday 30 October 2026 (5 days)

Venue: St Mary and St Michael Primary School, Sutton Street, E1 0BD

Booking closes: Tuesday 20 October 2026 at 12pm (midday) or earlier once bookings are full

Bookings opening dates and times

All bookings must be made and paid for in full through our online booking system to be confirmed.

You will not be able to attend the scheme without a confirmed booking.

We reserve the right to alter scheme operation dates/times in line with the requirements of the service.

Apply for a place

Cost

Places are only confirmed once full payment has been received. You will be eligible for an extra subsidised rate, if you are a:

• working parent/carers resident in Tower Hamlets (TH) in receipt of working tax credits and
• non-working parents/carers in receipt of benefits (such as Income support, JSA, ESA or DLA)

To qualify, you must give recent proof of benefits (i.e. within the last 3 months), by emailing holiday.childcare@towerhamlets.gov.uk before booking. Subsidised payments will not be applied until proof has been shown.

Fees can increase annually. New fees may apply from the Easter 2027 scheme.

Cancellations

A £18.20 cancellation fee will be applied to all cancellations no matter the reason. 

Parents/carers may cancel their Holiday Childcare booking through the Magic Booking system.

All cancellations are subject to a non-refundable administration fee of £18.20 per booking.

To be eligible for a refund of the remaining balance, cancellation requests must be submitted in writing to holiday.childcare@towerhamlets.gov.uk.

This cancellation request must be sent no later than 5:00pm, 5 working days before the first day of the Holiday Childcare Scheme.

 Any cancellation received after 5:00pm, 5 working days before the first day of the scheme will not be eligible for a refund.

The full booking charge will be payable and the booking will be non-refundable and non-transferable, regardless of the reason for cancellation. 

Late child collections

Parent/carers must notify the scheme if they will be late collecting their child. A late collection fee of £12.20 per child up to 30 minutes late and £10 extra per child for each half hour late. If the scheme is not informed, the uncollected Children policy will be followed.

Apply for a place

Inclusive provision and referrals 

Tower Hamlets Holiday Childcare Scheme is a universal service providing support to all children including those with SEND.

Children requiring additional support

Places for children who require additional 1:1 or 1:3 care can be supported on completion of a special needs’ assessment (SNAF) and completed online booking.

The SNAF process can begin before the bookings open please contact holiday.childcare@towerhamlets.gov.uk.

Referrals

Referrals from social care and schools can be supported after receiving a referral form and completed online booking. Referral forms can be completed before the bookings open and should be returned as soon as possible.

Please email holiday.childcare@towerhamlets.gov.uk.

Feedback

Attended one of our childcare schemes? Why not tell us about your experience by completing our short survey.