Types of early education provision
There are different types of early education providers available to you in Herefordshire. Choosing the right kind of provision to support your child's learning and development is a big step. To help you make your decision you can find more information from the Early Years Alliance's How to choose the right early education provision.
- Childminders provide early education and care within the childminder's own home, for children of all ages from birth upwards and mostly offer an all year round service.
- Nannies and home child carers are employed by you to provide care for your children, usually in your home. These types of carers can register on the Ofsted voluntary register.
- Day nurseries provide care and education for children between six weeks and five years old. Some also offer out of school care for 5 to 11 year olds.
- Pre-schools provide care and most offer early education for children between 2 and 4+ years old.
- School or governor-run early years provision most offer term-time only provision in a maintained primary, academy or independent school for children between 2 to 4+ years old, run either directly by the school or by the governing body.
- Local authority maintained nursery classes are all attached to a particular primary school. They provide 15 hours each week of education for children 3 and 4+ years old. Some offer early education for 2 year olds and 30 hours early education for eligible children.
- Academy nursery classes are all attached to a particular primary academy school. They provide 15 hours each week of education for children 3 and 4+ years old. Some offer early education for 2 year olds and 30 hours early education for eligible children.
- Breakfast clubs, after-school clubs and holiday play schemes/clubs offer supervised play and care for school-aged children before and after the school day, and sometimes during the main school holidays.