Understanding how your child will develop and learn

An Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework is in place in England which describes the things a nursery, pre-school, childminder or reception class in a school, should be doing. It describes what children should learn and what levels of development they can be expected to reach at certain ages and stages.

A new simpler version of this framework is being prepared for September 2012. Your nursery, school, pre-school or childminder should have things in place to help you support your child’s early learning.

Free early education for every 3 and 4 year old

All 3 and 4 year olds are entitled to 15 hours of free early education each week, for 38 weeks a year. You should not be charged a fee for this free place.

High quality, early education will help your child to get ready for school and give them the best start. These free places should be flexible, to help you make the most of as much of your child’s entitlement as possible.

At the moment these hours can be taken between 8am and 6pm, depending on your provider’s opening times.

Early years education for 2 year olds that need it

Research tells us that poorer children are less likely to achieve a good level of development at age 5, so most local authorities already provide some free early education to 2 year olds who are most in need of help. However, places are limited and allocated to those young children in most need. You can get more information about this from your local Children’s Centre.

For more information please visit – https://foundationyears.org.uk/