Private nurseries - nursery grants

Early years education grant for three and four year olds

The Government guarantees a free part-time early education place to every three and four year old child. Eligible children can access their part-time place through any Ofsted registered provider (contact the Family Information Service for lists of registered providers). In Rochdale, from April 2007, children are entitled to 15 hours and these hours can be used flexibly over a minimum of three days in any of the following settings:

• Nursery class in a state primary school
• State nursery school
• Private nursery school
• Pre-school or playgroup
• Private day nursery
• Group of registered childminders
• Reception class in a state primary school (four year olds only)
• Crèche (holding regular sessions for the same children)

Parents are entitled to 15 hours per week but the maximum number of hours that can be claimed over any one day is 6 hours and the minimum is one hour. For example, parents could choose to use six hours on Monday, six hours on Tuesday and three hours on Wednesday or any other combination of hours spread over a minimum of three days. If a parent chooses to use their entitlement over two days, the maximum number of hours that can be claimed is 12 hours.

Early years education enables children to enjoy playing and learning before they go to school and helps them to acquire basic skills that will give them a head start when they start school.

Children in funded early years settings will work towards achieving the 'Early Learning Goals'. Through well planned play, children will develop skills such as, speaking, listening, persistence and concentration as well as learning to work and co-operate with other children.

Further information on early education for three and four year olds is available in the 'Guide to education for three and four year olds'. Copies can also be obtained from the Family Information Service.

Guide to education for three and four year olds (200kb pdf file)