Currently all 3 and 4 year-olds are entitled to 15 hours of free early education each week and some are eligible for an additional 15 hours (up to 30 hours per week). Some 2 year olds are also entitled to up to 15 hours of free early education each week. Entitlement starts from the term after the child’s 2nd or 3rd birthday.
Parents need to check whether they are eligible and how many hours they are entitled to via the online Eligibility Checker at
www.childcarechoices.gov.uk If eligible, an 11-digit code/ reference number will be generated and should be given to the school in the half term before the child starts. Alternatively, parents are able to purchase additional hours.