Nursery education funding
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 Bedfordshire'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 5 sessions each week during school term times (to a maximum of 38 weeks per year). A session is for a minimum of 2.5 hours. If you child attends for more than 5 sessions per week or the session is longer than 2.5 hours, you may have to pay the difference to your nursery education provider.
How the funding works
Funding is paid directly to the nursery education provider.
Level of funding
Nursery education funding is currently £8.69 per session. This amounts to £1651.10 per year based on a claim for 5 sessions per week for 38 weeks of the year. If your child attends less than five sessions per week the funding will be paid on a pro-rata basis.