All three and four year olds are entitled to 15 hours of free nursery 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, play groups and pre-schools and childminders.
The free early years entitlement can be taken flexibly within the following limits:
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The full 15 hours have to be taken over at least three days per week and a maximum of five days per week
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A minimum of 2.5 hours can be taken in one day
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A maximum of 10 hours can be taken in one day, but no more than 12.5 hours over two days.
You can take the free entitlement at up to two providers. The basic offering is three hours over five days a week, or five hours over three days a week, but many providers will allow you to take the provision flexibly, in a pattern that meets your needs. For example, your child could have nine hours at a nursery or reception class and six hours with a playgroup, day nursery, childminder or independent school over the course of 3 days or more.
What is my child entitled to?
All 3 and 4 year olds are entitled to 15 hours of free early learning and care, over 38 weeks of the year.
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Children who are three in January, February or March can have their free place from the start of the summer term.
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Children who are three in April, May, June, July or August can have their free place from the start of the autumn term.
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Children who are three in September, October, November or December can have their free place from the start of the spring term.
Who provides early years education?
Your child may go to any early years setting which is included in the Nottinghamshire Directory of Providers and has a place available. This includes many:
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day nurseries
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independent schools
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nursery centres
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nursery units in schools
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pre-schools or playgroups
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schools with pre-school groups
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childminders part of an approved network
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sure start children's centres.
Finding a place
Contact us for help with finding a place. You may decide to visit several providers to help you choose the right setting for your child. Once you have chosen where you would like your child to go, check that there is a place available, and confirm the start date and the fact that you would like to claim your free early years entitlement. The provider will give you a form to complete, so that they can claim the funding for your child's place. This will be paid directly to the provider.
Each term, providers have a deadline for claiming this funding. The local authority may not be able to fund a child who has not taken up a free entitlement place by this date. Funding is for a minimum of half a term; if your child moves to another provider during a term then you need to inform the new provider as soon as possible, to see if a free early years entitlement place is available.
Please note that if your child attends a part-time place in a school nursery, reception class or nursery class, then the hours attended will be counted as part of your child’s entitlement.
Additional charges
Be aware that some providers may charge for meals, snacks or optional extras as these may not always be included within the free entitlement. If you take more than 15 hours per week or more than 38 weeks per year there will be a charge from the provider for these additional hours. Please check with your provider for full details of any additional charges.
Extra support for children with special educational needs
We are committed to supporting early years and childcare providers to work towards an inclusive approach. This means being able to meet the individual needs of all children. Providers can get extra funding to support children with additional needs. For more information, speak to your provisions manager or special educational needs co-ordinator (SENCO). They will be able to get information through their Early Years Specialist Teacher.
We are working to make sure that there are enough high-quality early years education places in the county.
