Apply for a free nursery place
Overview
Your child is entitled to free early education for up to 15 hours per week for 38 weeks, starting from the term following their 3rd birthday.
For example, if your child is 3 in January, they can start in the summer term which begins in April.
Once started your child can continue until they start full time school.
| lf your child turns 3 between... | They will be able to start nursery... |
|---|---|
| 1 September and 31 December | from 1 January or the beginning of the spring term |
| 1 January and 31 March | from 1 April or the beginning of the summer term |
| 1 April and 31 August | from 1 September or the beginning of the autumn term |
You can choose where you want your child to go (subject to availability). Places are available at:
- Council nurseries
(nursery schools and units attached to schools) - private nurseries
- some family hubs
The following information refers to nurseries maintained by the Council.
- For private nurseries, see applying for a place at a private nursery
- For Family Hubs (previously known as children's centres), you should contact the centre directly
- For religious or faith (voluntary-aided) schools you should contact the school's head teacher