Free Nursery Places
As a parent or carer of a 3 or 4 year-old, you are entitled to free hours of childcare at Siblings Nursery. Some 2 year olds are entitled to 15 hours. To find out more, please read the questions and answers below:
Q: When can my child start claiming the 3 & 4 year funding?
A: 3-year-olds will be able to start a free nursery place in the September, January or after Easter (usually April) following their third birthday.
Your child’s birthday must be before:
• 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)
These are the cut off dates. If your child’s birthday is for example on the 1st or 2nd January and the term starts on the 5th January, unfortunately their funding will not start until the Summer term after Easter because they have passed the cut-off date of 31st December.
Q: How many funded hours can my child have?
A: All 3 and 4-year-olds in England are entitled to 570 hours of free early education per year. Your child is entitled to a maximum of 15 hours per week for 38 weeks of the year or can attend 11 hours per week for 52 weeks of the year.
Q: How can I use my funded hours?
A: You are guaranteed to have the funding in the following ways –
Term time only – 15 hours per week:
• 5 hours a day (7.30am-12.30pm or 1.00pm-6.00pm) over 3 days of the week
• 10 hours a day (8.00am-6.00pm) for 1 day per week plus 5 hours on 1 other day (7.30am-12.30pm or 1.00pm-6.00pm)
All year round – 11 hours per week:
• 5.5 hours a day (7.00am-12.30pm or 12.30pm-6.00pm) over 2 days of the week
• 11 hours a day (7.00am-6.00pm) for 1 day per week
Q: How can I claim the 15 hours for my 2 year old?
A: Some parents will be able to claim the 15 hours per week, term time only or 11 hours per week all year round by checking your eligibility with our Nursery Manager.
Q: Will I be entitled to 30 hours?
A: The government are currently working with childcare providers in other parts of the country to see how this will be rolled out nationwide. From September 2017 we will be offering 30 hours to children who are eligible. (Look online at the Department for Education Childcare Bill: policy statement. Issued December 2015) to check your eligibility for the extra 15 hours.
Did you know children can stay with us until the age of 5 when they move onto reception class at school?
For any further questions, please ask Joanne Anderson, Nursery Manager or Emma Robinson, Assistant Manager.