Free Early Education
Free Early Years Provision for 3 and 4 Year Olds
From the start of the term following their third birthday every child is entitled to 15 hours early years provision per week x 38 weeks = 570 hours per year until they start a reception class in school.
Parents and carers living in the Southend Borough can opt to use their child's free early years provision in one of two ways:
- Up to 15 hours per week taken over 38 weeks
or
- Up to 12 hours per week taken over 47 weeks.
In either case the minimum number of hours that can be used per day is 2.5 and the maximum number of hours that can be used per day is 10.
There is an expectation that parents and carers will commit to a regular pattern of hours throughout a term. However, some providers may be prepared to negotiate different weekly needs for individuals whose regular shift-work patterns might affect their requirements.
It is possible to divide a child's entitlement between two early years providers. However, it cannot be assumed that this will apply when nursery classes are attached to maintained/independent schools. Free early years provision cannot be accessed in all independent schools.
All early years providers have an admissions policy that clearly states how they offer free early years provision - it is recommended that parents/carers request a copy of this policy when deciding how they will use their child's entitlement.
Across the Borough free early years provision can be accessed via :
- Pre-schools
- Nurseries
- Accredited network childminders
- Nursery classes in schools
- Some independent schools
Children are eligible for free early years provision when they become three years-old :
| A child born on or between | Becomes eligible for free early years provision |
| 1 April and 31 August | 1st September following their third birthday |
| 1 September and 31 December | 1st January following their third birthday |
| 1 January and 31 March |
1st April following their third birthday |
Parents and carers need to take the following steps to ensure that their child benefits for free early years provision :
| Visit the Open Family Services Directory to search early years provision in your area. For information and guidance about choosing childcare please visit our webpage Childcare Options. |
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When you have details of the early years provision in your area contact some settings to see whether they have any suitable vacancies.
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Once you have found somewhere that suits you and your child you will be asked to register for your free early years provision. Southend-on-Sea Borough Council will pay the funding for your child directly to the early years provider. As this is public money you will be asked to provide documentary proof of your child' s date of birth e.g. birth certificate. You will also be required to sign a declaration form that includes a data processing agreement. You will not be able to access free early years provision without signing the declaration form and providing your child's birth certificate. |
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The early years provider will keep the declaration form and claim the funding for your child from Southend-on-Sea Borough Council - you do not need to do anything else. |
The 'Free Early Years Provision for 3 and 4 year olds Factsheet' gives full details of the way in which free early years provision can be accessed in the Southend-on-Sea Borough and can be found in the related downloads section on the right-hand side of this page.
Last updated: 6th January 2012