Articles on Early education and childcare (31)
3 and 4 year olds: 15 funded hours of early education and childcare
All three and four year old children in England are entitled to 15 hours of government-funded childcare or early education for 38 weeks (up to 570 hours per year), that you can use flexibly with one or more providers. Some providers will allow you to ‘stretch’ the hours over 52 weeks,…30 hours of funded early education and childcare per week
From September 2025, eligible children will be entitled to 30 hours government-funded early education and childcare per week (currently 15 hours) from 9 months old until they start school. Parents using the 30 hours can save up to £7,500 a year (read more on this link). These hours are intended to…Becoming a Childminder
To become a registered childminder you will need to hold a Level 3 or above in Childcare & Education and have worked with children under the age of 5 years in the past 2 years. If you do not have this qualification you will need to complete…Childcare Sufficiency Assessment (CSA)
A Childcare Sufficiency Assessment (CSA) is an assessment of existing childcare provision in the borough, mapping supply of, demand for and gaps in the childcare market. The Childcare Act 2006 places a legal duty on local authorities to secure sufficient childcare (so far as is…Childcare support if I am working and meet certain criteria
Subject to eligibility, from 9 months old children may be now entitled to 30 hours (term-time) government-funded early education and childcare until they start school. To access these 30 hours, you (and your partner) must be working and meet the income threadshold set by the government. Find out if…Choosing a childcare provider
There are lots of different types of childcare to choose from. Some families use informal childcare, such as other family members, friends or neighbours. However you may also find that you need to make more formal childcare arrangements. Some childcare settings provide specialist services for…Different roles in early education, childcare and playwork
There are a number of different roles in the early years, childcare and playwork sector. Read more about some of them below:Disability Access Fund (DAF)
The Disability Access Fund (DAF) is an additional funding provided by the government to enable Early Years childcare providers to offer more places to young children with special educational needs or disabilities (SEND). The DAF is available to Early Years childcare settings and can be used, for example,…Early education (Early Years Foundation Stage: EYFS)
The early years foundation stage (EYFS) sets standards for the learning, development and care of children from birth to 5 years old. All schools and Ofsted-registered early years providers must follow the EYFS, including childminders, preschools, nurseries and school reception classes. The EYFS only applies to…