Free Early Years Provision for three and four year olds

Every child deserves the best possible start in life. Research recognises that high quality early years provision can have a major impact on a child's future education and life chances. Accessing high quality early years provision also allows a child's parents or carers time to access work, training or skills to improve their family lives. Government funding is available for all children from the term following their 3rd birthday to access free early years provision.

When can my child access free early years provision?

From the term following their 3rd birthday, children in Herefordshire are entitled to access a free part time early years provision with a provider registered with Herefordshire Local Authority. Please be aware that term dates do vary.

If your child is born between these dates:	They are eligible for funding from:
1st April to 31st August	The Autumn Term
1st September to 31st December	The Spring Term
1st January to 31st March	The Summer Term

Where can I send my child to claim their free early years provision?

To any pre-school, nursery, childminder or provider that is registered with Herefordshire Local Authority to offer free early years provision and are registered with Ofsted. All settings registered to offer free early years provision follow the Early Years Foundation Stage for children aged 0-5 years. Providers can tell you if they are registered for free early years provision.

It is important to make contact with and book a place for your child at a provider before you want your child to attend, as places are generally, on a first come first served basis. You should check your chosen provider is registered to offer free early years provision. Once your child is registered your provider will claim the funding and that funding will be paid directly to them.

How many hours could my child be entitled to?

All providers in Herefordshire offer up to 15 hours of free early years provision per week for 38 weeks of the year (during school term times). Depending on the provider you choose the 15 hours could be taken flexibly to meet your needs.
Funding could be taken:

• over a minimum of 3 days to a maximum of 5 days in a week.
• as a minimum of 2.5 hours to a maximum of 10 hours in any one day.
• this permits a maximum of 12.5 hours over two days
• taken between the hours of 8am and 6pm.
• shared between a maximum of two providers.
• for a minimum funding period of 2 consecutive weeks

Parents claiming the childcare element of Working Tax Credit can claim free early years provision but must inform HM Revenue and Customs that they are doing so.