Types of Early Education
If you live in England, your 3 or 4 year old child is entitled to a free, part-time early education place. This place is available as follows:
- Children born January to March:
from 1st April following their 3rd birthday - Children born April to August:
from 1st September following their 3rd birthday - Children born September to December:
from 1st January following their 3rd birthday
Early education may be provided in a variety of different settings; some of the most popular are listed in the table below.
| Provider | Age | Open | Staffing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Childminders | 0-5+ | Term time and school holidays | Variable. |
| Day Nurseries | 0-5 | Term time and school holidays | 1 adult for every 8 children. At least half of the adults must be qualified leaders or assistants. |
| Nursery Schools (Private) |
2-5 | Term time and school holidays | 1 qualified teacher for every 20 children. |
| Nursery Schools (State) |
3-5 | Term time | 1 qualified teacher and 1 qualified nursery assistant for every 20 children. |
| Playgroups | 3-5 | Term time and school holidays | 1 adult for every 8 children. At least half of the adults must be qualified leaders or assistant. |
| State Primary Schools (Nursery Classes) |
3-4 | Term time | 1 qualified teacher and 1 qualified nursery assistant for every 26 children. |
| State Primary Schools (Reception Classes) |
4-5 | Term time | 1 qualified teacher for every 30 children. Many classes will also have assistants. |
Any setting or provider that offers free nursery places or pre-school education must:
- Be registered with the local authority
- Be inspected on a regular basis by education inspectors appointed by OFSTED (Office for Standards in Education)
- Work towards the Early Learning Goals in line with the curriculum guidance for the Foundation Stage
