Sure Start Children’s Centre: Working with parents right from the birth of their child, providing early years education for children, full day care, short-term care, health and family support, parenting advice as well as training and employment advice.
Nursery schools: Provide early learning and childcare for children between three and five years old. They are often based at Sure Start Children’s Centres or linked to a primary school.
Preschools and playgroups: Usually run by voluntary groups providing part-time play and early learning for under fives. Three and four year olds can get their 15 hours of weekly free early years education at these providers.
Day Nurseries: Often based in workplaces and rum by businesses or voluntary groups providing care and learning activities for children from birth to five years old.
Childminders: Look after children under 12 in the childminder’s own home. They can look after up to six children under eight years old, although no more than three of them must be aged under five.
Nannies and home-based carers: Provide care for children in your home and can look after children of any age.
Since 2004 all children in the UK aged three and four years old have been entitled to free places at nursery or another preschool setting (including childminders). From 1st September 2010 the Government extended these hours from 12.5 to 15 hours for up to 38 weeks of the year.
The free entitlement provides universal access to early childhood education and care, ensuring that all children have the opportunity to benefit from early years education. The extended hours also supports parents who wish to go back to work or develop their careers through further education by providing affordable