Early Years Education for Three and Four Year Olds
Taken from the leaflet 'Early Years Education for Four Year
Olds' produced by Essex County Council Learning Services.
Who can receive grant funded Early Years
Education?
All children are entitled to grant funded early years
education from the beginning of the term after their fourth
birthday:
- All 4 year olds
- 3 year olds for two terms
- 3 year olds if parent/s are claiming job seeker allowance
- Child is a multiple birth (Twins, Triplets)
- Child is in foster care
- Child has a special need and has financial difficulties
- Available to 3 year olds for 2 terms and all 4 year olds
What is grant funded Early Years
Education?
- available to all three and four year olds whose parents want
it
- available from beginning of term after the child is three
- at least 2 ½ hours a session for five sessions a week
- at least 11 weeks a term
- cost is met by government grant claimed termly by the
provider.
Where is the provision available?
Quality early years education meeting the government's
standards is available in all settings which have registered as
members of a local authority's Early Years Development and
Childcare Plan. These settings may be schools, pre-schools, private
nurseries or day nurseries and childminders working in designated
networks.
Can my child have more than five
sessions?
Your child can only have five sessions of grant funded early
years education per week. Children and families have a range of
different needs and therefore:
- these five sessions can be with more than one provider if you
choose. For example your child can attend some sessions at a school
and some sessions at a pre-school to a total of five
- some providers offer additional services to the core 2 ½ hours
such as longer hours covering education and/or care. You may be
charged for these
- some providers offer more than five sessions and where this is
the case fees may be charged for the additional sessions if you
want your child to attend them
- if your child attends five sessions at a school you will need
to pay for any additional sessions with another provider
How do I get a place for my child?
If your child is eligible for grant funded provision for the
first time or you wish to consider changing your current
provider:
- read the booklet 'Choosing What's Best for Your Child'
(available from the Early Years Education Department, Essex County
Council, County Hall, Chelmsford, Tel: 01245 492211) about the
different types of provision available and decide what will be the
most appropriate. In doing so you should also consider any
childcare arrangements which you may need before and after a
session
- visit providers in your area, read their admission
arrangements, find out what they offer and decide whether they meet
your child's needs. Lists of providers are held in each area
by
Children's Information Service: 01279
440400
Email: cis@essexcc.gov.uk
Website: www.childcarelink.gov.uk
- contact the provider of your choice; check they are a member of
the Essex Early Years Development and Childcare Plan (or another
local authority's plan); check whether they have a place offering
the services you require, for example, 2 ½ hours of early years
education or longer sessions
- if there is a vacancy register your child immediately to
reserve the place. You will need to take evidence of your child's
age, such as a birth certificate, to the provider. You will also be
required to sign a declaration that your child will not be
receiving more than five sessions of grant funded early years
education
- if the provision is already full you will need to contact
another provider until you find a suitable vacancy
As a parent you know your child's needs best. You do not have
to send your child anywhere until they are five years old, nor do
you have to use all five sessions per week if you do not think it
is in your child's best interest. You have a choice.
Where can I get help?
For more information and an application form speak to your
pre-school or nursery, or ring the Early Years and childcare
service helpline on 01245 512300
To find out more about locally registered providers you can
ring the following who provide lists and will be pleased to advise
you:
Children's Information Service: 01279 440400
Your local early years provider or headteacher will also be
pleased to help.
If you want more information about your child's entitlement,
ring:
- Pre-school Learning Alliance (Essex office) 01245 478497
- National Childminding Association (Essex) 01206 252301
- Essex Early Years Services Helpline 01245 436670