Funding for 3 and 4 year olds
All 3 and 4 year olds are eligible to receive nursery education
funding until they reach compulsory school age. The funding is not
means tested - it is payable to children attending a private day
nursery, pre-school, children's centre, independent school or a
childminder that is registered through Ofsted and included on the
local authority's Directory of Providers to receive the
funding.
When can my child get funded nursery
education?
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A Child born on or between:
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Will become eligible for a free place
from:
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1 April and 31 August
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1 September following their 3rd birthday
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1 September and 31 December
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1 January following their 3rd birthday
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1 January and 31 March
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1 April following their 3rd birthday
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How much nursery education is funded?
Your child is able to claim up to 15 hours each week,
over a minimum of 2 days, during school term times (to a
maximum of 38 weeks per year). If your child attends for more
than 15 hours per week, you will have to pay the difference to
your nursery education provider.
Some 2 year
olds may be entitled to up to 12.5 hours of free nursery
education. Please call Bedford Borough Family Information
Service for further information on 0800 023 2057.
Please refer to our leaflet Nursery
Education Funding (PDF document opens in new window) for more
details.
How is the funding paid?
Funding is paid directly to the nursery education
provider.
Contact Details
Further information can be obtained by contacting Julie Comber
on 01234 228095 or by emailing julie.comber@bedford.gov.uk