Nursery Education Grant

The Nursery Education Grant funds a guaranteed free part time early education place for every 3 and 4 year old child.

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A part time place consists of a maximum of 5 early education sessions per week. Each session is for 2½ hours and the funding is for a maximum of 38 weeks per year which is split into 3 terms.

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The early education place for 3 and 4 year olds can be in:

• A pre school/playgroup
• A private/voluntary day nursery
• An independent school
• A network of childminders
• A nursery class in a state primary school
• A state nursery school

Please see details of Eligible Providers below

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If your child is 3 or 4 years old, you could be entitled to a free part time place or reduction in your fees by applying for the Nursery Education Grant.

It is important to check:

• Is your childcare service one of the above providers?
• Is your childcare service inspected by registered nursery inspectors?
• Is your childcare service registered with the Early Years Development & Childcare Partnership as an Eligible Provider?

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• Up to 5 2½ hour sessions a week
• For up to 38 weeks a year over three terms
• Two sessions can be claimed in one day, as long as there is a minimum one hour break in between
  

Usually you will be offered five morning or five afternoon sessions. You can arrange them to suit your own or your child's needs. For example you might want two sessions a day for two days and then one session on another day. Or you may want one session a day for five days.

Your child may attend all five sessions at one early years establishment or you can divide the sessions between two or more providers

You cannot have more than two sessions on any one day and you are not entitled to claim the Nursery Education Grant if your attends a local authority nursery school or nursery class for 5 sessions per week.

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There is no application form to complete. You will need to contact the setting of your choice to check that they are registered with Lancashire County Council as an eligible provider of pre-school nursery education to provide free part time nursery education for your child and have a vacancy.

A free part time nursery education place with independent, private and voluntary providers and also any childminders who are part of a formal childminding network is funded by Lancashire County Council. This is then passed onto nursery or pre-school education providers according to the number of children that attend each term. The provider will claim directly from Lancashire County Council. Each term you will be asked by the provider to sign a headcount form confirming the number of sessions you wish to claim for your child.

Further information including a Parent Guide and lists of eligible providers of pre-school nursery education in the LEA maintained, independent, private and voluntary sectors or accredited childminders on an approved NCMA Children Come First Network, within your area maybe obtained from the Childcare Information Service .

For further information on the Nursery Education Grant, contact: 0800 195 0137.

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