Free early learning for 3 and 4 year olds
All 3 and 4 year olds can get the offer of 570 hours of free early education or childcare per year. It’s usually taken as 15 hours a week for 38 weeks of the year, which is equivalent to the school term time.
The free hours can be claimed from the term following your child's third birthday, until they are of school age.
This means:
| A child born between | Can have a place from |
|---|---|
| 1 January to 31 March | The beginning of term on or after 1 April |
| 1 April to 31 August | The beginning of term on or after 1 September |
| 1 September to 31 December | The beginning of term on or after 1 January |
You can use this funding at most Ofsted-registered private day nurseries, preschools, children's centres or with some childminders. Please check to make sure that they accept the funding before you enrol.
Some children may also be eligible for the early years premium. This is funding that childcare providers can claim to improve your child's learning.