Free Early Years Education
When can my child start Free Early Years Education?
ALL children become eligible for a Free Early Education Funded place from the start of the school term after their third birthday. This means that most three year olds will be able to start a free nursery place in the September, January or April following their third birthday.
A child aged three by:
31 March will be eligible for free nursery education from the Summer Term (April)
31 August will be eligible for free nursery education from the Autumn Term (September)
31 December will be eligible for free nursery education from the Spring Term (January)
How many hours can my child have?
Your child is entitled to a maximum of 15 hours per week for 38 weeks of the year. We have 3 hourly sessions. Your child needs to be included in the headcount week by being registered with the nursery on the headcount day, which falls within the first three weeks of term and you will have had to bring in your child’s birth certificate or passport and completed a parental declaration form.
How do I get Free Early Years Education?
Each term the Preschool claims on your behalf for the number of hours your child will be attending and then the Local Authority will pay the funding directly to us. The funding is not paid directly to parents.
FREE FOR 2:
We do accept 2 year olds who are eligible for Free Early Education who meet the criteria, for information regarding 2 year old free early education please go to www.kent.gov.uk/freefor2, or speak to a member of staff for details.
THESE SPACES ARE DEPENDENT UPON AVAILABILITY.
How will I know that my child will receive good quality preschool education?
Settings who provide the Free Early Education must follow the Government’s Early Years Foundation Stage curriculum. The quality of their provision is monitored by the Office for Standards in Education (OFSTED).
Do all the 15 hours have to be with the same provider?
The 15 hours do not have to be used with the same provider, but you must inform both providers that you are sharing the hours.
Are the extended sessions included in my funded hours?
Our extended sessions are not included in your free early education entitlement. It is charged at an extra cost. (Please contact the preschool for further information and costs).
