Types of Early Education

If you live in England, your 3 or 4 year old child is entitled to a free, part-time early education place. This place is available as follows:

Children born January to March:
from 1st April following their 3rd birthday
Children born April to August:
from 1st September following their 3rd birthday
Children born September to December:
from 1st January following their 3rd birthday

Early education may be provided in a variety of different settings; some of the most popular are listed in the table below.

Provider	Age	Open	Staffing
Childminders	0-5+	Term time and school holidays	Variable.
Day Nurseries	0-5	Term time and school holidays	1 adult for every 8 children. At least half of the adults must be qualified leaders or assistants.
Nursery Schools (Private)	2-5	Term time and school holidays	1 qualified teacher for every 20 children.
Nursery Schools (State)	3-5	Term time	1 qualified teacher and 1 qualified nursery assistant for every 20 children.
Playgroups	3-5	Term time and school holidays	1 adult for every 8 children. At least half of the adults must be qualified leaders or assistant.
State Primary Schools (Nursery Classes)	3-4	Term time	1 qualified teacher and 1 qualified nursery assistant for every 26 children.
State Primary Schools (Reception Classes)	4-5	Term time	1 qualified teacher for every 30 children. Many classes will also have assistants.

Any setting or provider that offers free nursery places or pre-school education must:

Be registered with the local authority
Be inspected on a regular basis by education inspectors appointed by OFSTED (Office for Standards in Education)
Work towards the Early Learning Goals in line with the curriculum guidance for the Foundation Stage

TOP 10