Free early learning for three and four year olds
Free early learning gives children the best start in life. Through learning and playing with other children in a safe and structured environment, they’ll have a head start when they begin school.
What you are entitled to
All three and four year olds are entitled to 12.5 hours of free early education for 38 weeks of the year. This applies until they reach compulsory school age (the term following their fifth birthday). The early education can take place in nurseries, playgroups, preschools or at their childminders.
Some local authorities (LAs) are offering 15 hours of free early education a week, with all LAs doing so from September 2010. This will be delivered flexibly over a minimum of three days. Since September 2009 all LAs have been making the extended offer available to 25 per cent of their most disadvantaged children.
When your child qualifies for a free place
The table below shows when your child will become eligible for their free early learning place.
| If your child is born between: |
They are eligible for a free place from: |
| 1 April and 31 August |
1 September following their third birthday until statutory school age |
| 1 September and 31 December |
1 January following their third birthday until statutory school age |
| 1 January and 31 March |
1 April following their third birthday until statutory school age |
Extra financial help
The free entitlement may not cover your family’s needs because of things like work commitments. If this is the case you may be able to get financial help with the costs of extra childcare.
Finding a free early years provider that suits you
There are a number of different types of early education setting that can offer the free entitlement:
- day nurseries, private nursery schools, maintained nursery schools and nursery classes attached to primary schools
- preschools and playgroups
- primary school reception classes, where schools operate an early admission policy to admit four year olds
- accredited childminders who are part of networks approved to deliver early education
- Sure Start Children's Centres
Although there's no guarantee of getting a place with a particular provider, your LA should take your preference into account wherever possible.
There’s no voucher or grant involved - just check with your local Family Information Service (FIS) that the provider is registered to offer the entitlement. You can get the number of your local FIS by calling 08002 346 346.
Standards for free early education providers
All settings receiving government funding to provide free early education to three to five year olds must:
- be included in their LA's Directory of Providers
- help children progress towards the ‘early learning goals’ set out in the Early Years Foundation Stage
- be inspected regularly by Ofsted
This means that your child will get a good quality early years education, regardless of which type of setting they attend.
What your child will learn
The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) focuses on the distinct needs of children from birth to five years old.
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