Is your child aged three or four?
Every three- and four-year-old is eligible for a part-time early education place. This means that from the term following your child's 3rd birthday, they are entitled to at least 12.5 hours per week. These generally need to be taken over 5 days with sessions lasting 2.5 hours (although some local authorities offer the places more flexibly over less days).
The places are provided through any registered childcare provider that is receiving the Nursery Education Grant. This includes:
- children's centres;
- day nurseries;
- pre-schools/playgroups;
- nursery schools and classes; and
- childminders who are part of an accredited network.
Early years education places are already being offered for 15 hours per week in some local authorities around the country. You can check with your local Family Information Service to see if the extended hours are being offered in your area.
You can get contact details for your local FIS by using the Family Information Directory on the main Daycare Trust website or by contacting 0800 234 6346.
Some local authorities are also providing places for small groups of disadvantaged two-year-olds as part of a pilot project. These places are offered through a referral system and children will generally be referred through their health visitor or similar.
The funding for early years education places covers 38 weeks per year in term-time, meaning places are not available during the school holidays. You are generally charged for any additional services that your child receives at the setting such as meals or additional hours of care. However, you cannot be indirectly charged 'top up fees' by being forced to take a full-time place in order to secure the free part-time place.
If your child is not accessing an early education place and you want to find out more, contact your local Family Information Service. You can get contact details for your local FIS by using the Family Information Directory on the main Daycare Trust website or by contacting 0800 234 6346.