Thorney Close Childcare Centre in Sunderland is an example of a provider which has worked with parents to create packages to meet their needs, without the limitations of defined sessions or start or finishing times.
The centre opened in 1994 and has been offering the flexible free entitlement since 2007.
It offers 16 funded places and is open each weekday from 7.30am to 6pm for 50 weeks of the year. The 15 hours can be accessed as a standalone offer for term time only, or as part of a larger childcare solution. Families using the centre are mostly studying in further education, higher education or are working parents, and a traditional sessional model does not meet their needs. The centre describes itself as being very active in the local community, which is a key part of engaging non-working parents. As a result, many local families who are not working, studying or training choose to take up their free-entitlement place at the centre.
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