CYP Now - Work Wise: Four Nations - Free early years education

The government wants all three- and four-year-olds to have a free early years education place. Although there are many similarities in policy across the UK, in Scotland councils can provide more free hours.

ENGLAND

The government provides local authorities with funding to ensure a free part-time early education place for all three- and four-year-olds, regardless of parental income or circumstances. This works out as 12-and-a-half hours a week, 38 weeks a year, with a "registered provider" such as a school, nursery or playgroup. Children born between 1 April and 31 August are eligible for a free place from 1 September following their third birthday; children born between 1 September and 31 December are eligible on 1 January following their third birthday; and children born between 1 January and 31 March are eligible on 1 April following their third birthday.

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