Nursery education for 3 & 4 year olds

Nursery education for 3 and 4 year olds

Since April 2004 all three and four year olds have been entitled to a free, part-time early education place.

Free places can be provided by a variety of providers in the maintained, private, voluntary and independent sectors including pre-schools, playgroups and registered childminder networks.

Local authorities must have regard to comprehensive statutory guidance set out in the code of practice when making arrangements for the provision of free early education places.

Code of Practice on the Provision of Free Nursery Education Places

The Code of Practice on the Provision of Free Nursery Education Places is available to download here.

For copies of the code e-mail:.dfes@prolog.uk.com

The early education place of 12.5 hours per week increased to 38 weeks per year in April 2006. Parents are not required to contribute towards the free early education entitlement but may be charged fees for any additional childcare services which may exceed the free part-time early education place.

As part of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) consultation the government is also publishing a Regulatory Impact Assessment and Race Equality Impact Assessment of the proposals outlined within the draft EYFS document. For further information Email:dfes@prolog.uk.com.

Publications (updated 05/05/06)

Report on the Responses to the Consultation on the draft Code of Practice on the Provision of Free Nursery Education Places for Three and Four Year Olds

Regulatory Impact Assessment and Race Equality Impact Assessment of the proposals outlined within the draft EYFS document

Code of Practice on the Provision of Free Nursery Education Places