Early Years Provision for 3 & 4 Year olds
From September 2010 every three and four year old is entitled to a funded early education place?
When do children become eligible for this funding?
Children are eligible from the term starting after their third birthday:
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3rd birthday between |
Eligible from
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1 September - 31 December |
January (Spring term)
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1 January - 31 March |
April (Summer term)
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1 April - 31 August |
September (Autumn term)
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How many hours of early years entitlement can a child have?
A child is entitled to 15 hours per week funded early years entitlement, up to a maximum of 38 weeks of the year.
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A maximum of 10 hours can be taken in one day and a minimum of 2.5.
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Parents choosing to take the entitlement over less than three days will only be eligible to 12.5 hours.
Parents can choose to purchase additional hours, it is important to note that the rates at which providers charge additional hours is a private business arrangement between the parents and the childcare provider. Childcare providers may also charge for extra services which are not covered by the funded entitlement such as snacks and additional tuition.
Which childcare providers can be used?
Any childcare provider listed in the Local Authority (LA) Directory. However it is important to note that the early years entitlement is a guarantee of a place it is not a guarantee of a place at a preferred provider.
To obtain a current list of providers within the London Borough of Ealing, please contact the Family Information Service on 020 8825 5588.
What if a child attends a state nursery school or class?
Parents do not have to do anything. The head teacher will inform Ealing Early Years, Childcare and Play and the payment will go direct to the school.
What if a child attends a voluntary, independent or private childcare provider?
Parents should advise the childcare provider that their child is now three years old and the provider will apply to Ealing Early Years, Childcare and Play for funding. Parents will be asked to complete a parent declaration form which states that they are not being funded in either a state nursery or another private childcare provider.
What if a child attends a childcare provider in another borough?
The borough in which the childcare provider is based will pay for the child’s place regardless of where the child lives.
Information for providers
To support the delivery of the early years entitlement providers please visit the resource section.
