All 3 and 4 year olds are entitled to a free part-time nursery education place.  It doesn’t matter how much you earn.  Make sure your child gets this place.

Children can access the free places from the beginning of the term after their 3rd birthday. The places are term-time only (38 weeks a year), and for up to a maximum of 15 hours a week.  To qualify for the full 15 hours however, your child must be there on a minimum of 3 days a week. These free nursery education places are widely available in school nurseries, children’s centres, day nurseries and playgroups.

If you only want the free place and do not want to pay anything extra
Then you are best to contact playgroups and nursery classes within schools.   This is because their places are usually term-time only, and part-time.   If you want a place at a nursery class within a school then do put your child’s name down on their waiting list when they are 2 ½.  Nursery classes within schools usually take children when they are 3 ½ , which may be a few months later than  a playgroup. You might be able to negotiate a purely free place at a day nursery or Children’s Centre, but you may have to pay for extra weeks and/or hours. 

If you are working or studying and need more than 15 hours in a nursery
Then day nurseries and children’s centres are likely to be your best option.  The nursery will take the cost of the free hours off your bill.

Do contact the nursery/playgroup and talk to them about what flexibility they can offer and how much they charge.

When can my child start?

You do not have to do anything to apply for this funding. The nursery or playgroup will ask you to sign a document called a headcount form.  They will send this form to The Learning Trust to claim the funding.  Ask your nursery/playgroup how they offer the free place as they may all have different arrangements.  If your child goes to more than one nursery, nursery class within a school, or playgroup;  you will only be able to claim up to the maximum of 15 hours per week, term-time only.

This is a national scheme, and if your child goes to a nursery or a playgroup outside of Hackney, they would still be able to receive funding through the nursery or playgroup. However it may be for the lower amount of 12 ½ hours over 5 days, as Hackney is trialling a more generous scheme. 

For a list of nurseries and playgroups in Hackney click here or phone 020 8820 7590.