Free early education (3 & 4 year olds)
What is early education?
It’s pre-school education for children aged 3 and 4 and is
the first part of the Early Years Foundation Stage - completed in
reception class at school. All children in the Rochdale borough
(Heywood, Middleton, Rochdale and Pennines) are eligible from the
term after their third birthday for 15 hours of free early
education.
You don’t contribute towards this but may be charged fees
for any services or childcare additional to the free place. You
choose whether early education is right for your child and what
setting you would like your child to attend.
Flexibility
The free 15 hours of early education can be taken in any
combination of hours over a minimum of three days per week subject
to reasonable demand.
Where can my child go for early education?
Early education is offered by nursery schools and
classes, day nurseries, some childminders and the nursery unit
at an independant school. It may suit you to use more than one
setting for your child but remember that you will need to pay for
any additional hours of childcare and the cost of any meals.
Regardless of what setting you choose, your child will benefit
from Early Years Foundation Stage education; a learning,
development and care structure.
Before you make a decision, visit the setting with your child
and look at the care, education, early years workers, resources and
equipment provided and how the setting will meet the needs of your
child.
Your Family Information Service will help you find early
education settings in your area and give you tailored and impartial
advice and information including a ‘choosing childcare and early education’
checklist.
How do I apply?
Contact your chosen setting for vacancy information. For
nursery schools, you’ll need to make contact early in the autumn
term following your child’s second birthday and request an
application form. For all other settings, make contact before your
child becomes eligible for early education.
Special educational needs
All settings should be able to provide an inclusive environment
which meets all children's individual needs. If your child has
difficulties in some areas of their development, the setting will
receive support from the Area SENCO (special educational needs
coordinators) team, contact them on 0845 226 5511.
Contact the Family Information Service for information, advice
and a list of your local childcare providers. If you have
problems with finding childcare or your circumstances make it
especially difficult, ask about our Enhanced Service.
More information about inclusion is available.
Childcare Costs
There’s some help available to meet the additional costs of
childcare if you’re working or training.
- Childcare element of Working Tax Credit
- Childcare Vouchers
For more information about free early education for 3
& 4 year olds, please call the Family Information Service on
01706 719900 or see the leaflet below.
Free early education (3
& 4 year olds) booklet (1.7mb pdf)