Like preschools and nurseries, we have places available for children who would like to access their “free hours” of childcare – the Working Families Funding and Early Years Entitlement. From September 2025, working parents in England will be able to access 30 hours of free childcare for children aged 9 months to 3 years, expanding from the current 15 hours.
You can claim the early years entitlement at:
- an approved childminder (We are an ‘approved childminder’!)
- a day nursery
- a pre-school or playgroup
- an independent school
- a children's centre nursery
- a maintained nursery
- a reception class in a primary or infant school
- a foundation stage unit and academy
These are known as providers and all providers are under a duty to deliver the Early Years Foundation Stage. The providers must be registered and inspected by Ofsted or the Independent Schools Inspectorate and be able to offer a minimum of 38 weeks in a year. The provider must be registered with Somerset Council to offer the early years entitlement (we are!).
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