Free Early Learning for 3 and 4 Year Olds

If you live in England and have a young child aged three or four years old, or have a child that will be reaching that age soon, then they’re entitled to an element of free early learning. Here’s what’s available and how to go about finding out what’s on offer in your area.
Young children grow rapidly, both physically and mentally, and thrive on learning new skills and gaining experience. A good start in life provides a good foundation for the rest of their life and the more they can learn, the better skills and development they stand to have.
The government recognises the importance of a good start in life and has introduced a scheme that provides free early learning places for all three and four year olds in England. Under the current rules, all three and four year olds are entitled to 12.5 hours of free early learning each week, for 38 weeks of the year. They’re able to take advantage of this learning in various ways, through places at pre-schools as well as nurseries, playgroups or childminders.
In the year 2010, the rules will change slightly and all three and four year olds will be entitled to 15 hours a week of free early learning. It’s expected that this will be delivered over a minimum of three days, although there will be a degree of flexibility in this.
When Does My Child Become Eligible?
Children become eligible for free early learning depending on what month in the year their birthday occurs. The current guidelines maintain that:
If your child is born between 1st April and 31st August, your child is eligible for their free place from 1st September following their third birthday, until they reach the statutory school age.
If your child is born between 1st September and 31st December, then your child is eligible for their free place from 1st January following their third birthday, until they reach the statutory school age.
If your child is born between 1st January and 31st March, then they’re eligible for their free early learning place from 1st April following their third birthday, until they reach the statutory school age.
Finding A Free Early Learning Place
Free early learning places are available from a range of learning providers including:
- Pre-schools
- Playgroups
- Primary school reception classes (early admission for four year olds)
- Accredited childminders
- Day nurseries
- Private nursery schools
- Maintained nursery schools
- Nursery classes operated at primary schools
- Children’s centres
In the first instance, it’s a good idea to contact your local Children’s Information Service (CIS) as they have details of which classes or centres are able to offer free places. You don’t need to have any special vouchers to obtain the free place, but if they do the provider needs to be registered in order for you to be eligible to claim the free place from them. Demand for places in many areas is high, so there’s unfortunately no guarantee that you’ll get your child into your first choice provider.
Re: Secure a place in a Foreign School
My son i scoming to join me in the uk, he is 15 years old and i would like for someone to advise me what he would need…
Re: Rules and Regulations Surrounding School Trips
International Schengen Trip: Can a child be returned back to UK on a different flight to parents cost if…
Re: Placing a Foreign Student in a UK School
Hi , we are moving soon to settle in Uk , i wish to find schools for my kids ( 17, 15, and 11 yrs old) we will live…
Re: Applying for Special Needs Education
My Yr 2 child attends an independent school. His school reports show that he has been 'emerging' since he started. The…
Re: What is Flexi-schooling?
Hi. Does anyone know where we stand with an academy? My son is in a senior academy and they run differently to local education…
Re: What to Include in an Appeal
Does. Anyone know the full process of appealing against a secondary school
Re: Getting a Bursary to a Private Secondary School
We would like some advice or assistance please, our son recently sat the entrance exam for the local…
Re: Placing a Foreign Student in a UK School
we would like to find out a secondary school in uk accepting guest students for a few (3-4) weeks in July 2019 for…
Re: Scholarships for Private Independent Schools
My name is Evan I will be 17 years this year please I need to finish my secondary school but it is difficult…
Re: Scholarships for Private Independent Schools
I am looking for a 13+ scholarship tutor for my child in the Gloucester area. Recommendations needed please