Local services for families

Active Leeds offers a wide range of low‑cost sport, fitness and wellbeing activitiesacross the city.

Active Leeds also runs:

• junior activities and swimming lessons
• holiday sports programmes
• community sport, walking groups and beginner‑friendly sessions

You can book sessions, find timetables, or explore local leisure centres through the website or the Active Leeds App.

The Leeds Parent Portal allows you to search for registered childcare providers across the city, including nurseries, childminders, playgroups and out‑of‑school clubs. You can also find information on family services, early years funding, and support for 2‑year‑old funded places. This is the main place to search for childcare options and view provider details in Leeds.

Family Hubs are welcoming spaces where families with children and young people aged 0 to 19 (or up to 25 with SEND) can access support, advice and services in one convenient place.  Family Hubs are located across Leeds, including Dewsbury Road, Rothwell, Seacroft (Deacon House), Compton Centre, Chapeltown, Armley and Horsforth, so families can find support close to home.

Little Owls Nurseries provide quality, affordable childcare and early education for children aged 3 months to 5 years across Leeds. Many settings offer 15 and 30 hours funded places, and nurseries have strong links with local children’s centres, health visitors and family services.

• School Uniform Support: Leeds City Council does not offer direct financial help with school uniform costs. However, your child’s school may be able to support you. You can also use the Leeds School Uniform Exchange, a citywide project run by Zero Waste Leeds, where families can access good‑quality, second‑hand uniform for free. The exchange provides a searchable map showing community groups, schools and parent‑led schemes offering pre‑loved uniform across Leeds.
• Leeds School Admissions: The page explains how to apply for a primary or secondary school place and how to move schools (in‑year transfers).
• The Childcare Support page helps families find funded childcare, childcare providers and practical support for children aged 0 to 5. You can check your eligibility for funded childcare places (9 months to 4 years), search for registered nurseries and childminders in Leeds, and find information about wraparound childcare before and after school.

Healthy Holidays Leeds provides free, fun activities with a healthy hot meal for primary and secondary school‑aged children during the Easter, summer and Christmas holidays. The programme is for children and young people who receive income‑related free school meals, and is funded through the Department for Education’s Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme. Activities take place in schools, community hubs, libraries and voluntary organisations across the city.