Early Education
Is My Child Entitled To Any Pre-School Education?
All three and four year olds have a free early education place for up to six terms before they reach statutory school age (the beginning of the school term immediately following your child's fifth birthday).
A free nursery education place includes up to five two-and-a-half hour sessions per week for thirty three weeks of the year. This service is free, although parents may be charged fees for any services that exceed the minimum entitlement. The table below shows when your child will become eligible for the free place.
When Should My Child Start To Attend Pre-School Education?
| Born Between:- | Eligible For A Place |
| 1st April and 31st August | 1st September following their third birthday until statutory school age. |
| 1st September and 31st December | 1st January following their third birthday until statutory school age. |
| 1st January and 31st March | 1st April following their third birthday until statutory school age. |
Can I Choose Where My Child Goes To Receive Their Pre-School Education?
Yes! You can choose a free part-time early education place from a range of registered settings which include:-
- maintained nursery schools and nursery classes attached to primary schools
- primary school reception classes where schools operate an early admission policy to admit four year olds
- private nursery school
- private nursery school
- voluntary pre-schools and playgroup
- day nurseries
- a childminder’s home where the childminder is part of an approved childminding network
- Early Years Centres
Whichever setting you choose, your child will be starting the Foundation Stage, the first stage of the National Curriculum.
What will the Foundation Stage Involve?
There are six areas of learning:-
- personal, social and emotional development, communication, language and literacy
- mathematical development
- knowledge and understanding of the world
- physical development
- creative development
Each area has a number of early learning goals for children to achieve by the end of reception year in primary school.
Children will be at different stages of progress towards achieving the early learning goals, depending on their age and stage of development. Staff will work closely with you to give your child the best possible start and making sure he or she enjoys learning.
Will My Child Be Assessed?
Each child’s progress is monitored during the Foundation Stage to ensure that they are making progress. Any difficulties that your child is having, whatever the cause, are identified and addressed. An assessment, called the "Foundation Stage Profile," is completed for your child at the end.
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