All three and four-year-olds are entitled to 15 hours per week of free early education for 38 weeks of the year. This applies until they reach compulsory school age (the term following their fifth birthday). Free early education places are available at a range of Early Years settings including nursery schools and classes, children’s centres, day nurseries, playgroups and pre-schools and at networked childminders. Parents can take up as much or as little of the entitlement as they want.
Children become eligible for free early education on the dates set out below:
|
A child born in the period |
Will become eligible for a free place |
|---|---|
|
1st April to 31st August |
1st September following child’s 3rd birthday(Autumn* school term) |
|
1st September to 31st December |
1st January following child’s 3rd birthday(Spring* school term) |
|
1st January to 31st March |
1st April following child’s 3rd birthday (Summer* school term) |
*Based on a three-term school year
Free early education places is a guarantee of a free part-time place – it is not a monetary subsidy or voucher scheme. Parents should not be required to pay any fee for any part of the free entitlement. Parents should not be required to pay for additional services or hours as a condition of accessing the free place, nor should parents be required to pay a fee up front to be refunded at a later date. However, it is perfectly reasonable for providers to charge for optional extras such as dance or French providing access to a free place is not conditional on taking these options.
For more information about free nursery education in your area, contact your local Family Information Service (FIS) they are best placed to provide advice on the local provision of early education places. The Family Information Service provides information, advice and assistance to parents, carers and professionals on the range of children, family and young people's services available within their area.
