Pre- School and Nurseries provide Early Years support to children prior to going to school.
In England, all 3 and 4year-olds get 570 free hours per year. It has usually taken as 15 hours a week for 38 weeks of the year, but you can choose to take fewer hours over more weeks. This applies until they reach compulsory school age (the term following their fifth birthday). Some 2 year old’s are also entitled to free childcare if certain criteria are met.
If working you may be able to get up to 30 hours free childcare (1,140 hours per year, which you can choose how you take).
If you are eligible for the extra hours, you sign up online to get a code to give to your childcare provider to reserve your place. You will get the extra hours once the next term starts.
Further funding for under 2year olds will be available for working parents. This will be rolled out in stages with 15 hours for 2year olds being available from April 2024, then from 9 months old to 2years old from Sept 2024. This offer will increase to 30 hours from Sept 2025.
https://www.gov.uk/find-free-early-education
https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/
In Scotland you can get up to 1,140 hours of funded early learning and childcare a year (around 30 hours a week in term time) if your child is 3 or 4 years old. Some 2 year-olds are also eligible.
FIND OUT MORE: https://www.mygov.scot/childcare-costs-help/funded-early-learning-and-childcare
In Wales parents and guardians can apply for childcare and early education for up to 30 hours a week for 3- and 4-year-olds. Foster carers and kinship carers (relative or friend who is not a child’s parent) can also apply.
FIND OUT MORE: https://gov.wales/childcare-3-and-4-year-olds
In Northern Ireland there is similar support for parents for those under School age.
FIND OUT MORE: https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/pre-school-education-places
Registered childcare provision can found on the following websites.
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England and Wales |
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Scotland |
https://www.parentclub.scot/articles/early-learning-and-childcare-thats-free-you |
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Northern Ireland |
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National |
To check if a childcare provider is approved or to search for one, and to find out more about help with childcare costs.
https://www.gov.uk/help-with-childcare-costs
For additional information visit online social networking platform for parents, childcare providers, and private tutors.
Additional information and support is also available through the Family Information Service (FIS) that is available through your Local Authority’s website
https://www.gov.uk/find-local-council
