From April 2004, the government announced that all three and four year-olds are entitled to a free part-time nursery education. Up to now, only a few regional authorities offered free places to 3 year olds.
This means five sessions of 2.5 hours each per week, if parents wish to use them. They can be taken with approved providers only, including accredited groups of childminders, state nurseries, playgroups and possibly private nurseries.
The first intake to benefit from this will be those children starting in the Autumn of 2004.
For full details, visit the Sure Start government website.
or contact Childcare Link on 08000 96 02 96 or www.childcarelink.gov.uk
Early Learning Sheets
