Every child aged three and four is entitled to receive
a maximum of 15 hours per week free early years education for 38
weeks a year. Once every child reaches the term following
their third birthday they are entitled. This applies until they
reach compulsory school age (the term following their fifth
birthday).
The NEF can be accessed:
- at a school nursery;
- at a private, voluntary or independent setting;
- at a children’s centre;
- through a childminder who is registered with Ofsted and the
local authority to receive nursery education funding.
When is my child eligible for nursery education funding?
Your child becomes eligible from the start of the term after
they become 3 years old. This means a child born between:
- 1 September and 31 December is eligible from 1 January
- 1 January and 31 March is eligible from 1 April
- 1 April and 31 August is eligible from 1 September
Your free entitlement continues until the end of the term in
which your child becomes 5 years old. This means that when your
child starts in reception class, they will receive the remainder of
their free entitlement at school.
How do I find a place for my child?
As a parent/carer you can decide where you would like your child
to go. There are five childcare providers that offer
nursery education funding within the City of London area:
Places are subject to availability and
you should contact the provider of your choice as soon as possible
in case there is a waiting list for places.
The Family and Young People’s information service can help you
understand your childcare options and find a childcare place.
Contact them on 020 7332 1002 or email
FYI@cityoflondon.gov.uk.
To find out more go to the looking for childcare page on the
FiSD
How to apply
The NEF is free at the point of access; this means you do not
have to complete a separate application to get the funding as your
childcare provider will automatically pass on the funding to
you.
At the start of each term, or school nursery year, your provider
will ask you to sign a parental contract which includes an agreed
pattern of hours for the whole term
You will also need to confirm with your nursery provider that
your child is not receiving more than 15 hours free entitlement per
week, including at any other provider within, or outside, the City.
Any additional hours will be subject to childcare provider rates.
Application closing dates vary. Please check with childcare
providers.
Contact
To find out more call the Family and Young People’s Information
Service on 020 7332 1002 between 9am and 5pm or email
FYI@cityoflondon.gov.uk.