Free education for children over 3...

[Gardner 10]

ARE YOU GETTING YOUR 15 HOURS OF FREE EARLY YEARS EDUCATION?

All children aged 3 and over who live in England are entitled to 15 hours of free early years education a week for 38 weeks a year. The free sessions can begin in the term following your child’s third birthday and lasts until your child reaches the statutory school age. Places are available now at playgroups, pre-schools, nurseries and childminders in your local community.

The Government is also starting to introduce free early education to some 2 year olds. Some free places are available now and they have pledged to extend free childcare to more families from September 2014. To qualify for a free place now you must be getting one of the following:

• Income Support
• income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
• income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
• support through part 6 of the Immigration and Asylum Act
• the guaranteed element of State Pension Credit
• Child Tax Credit (but not Working Tax Credit) and have an annual income not over £16,190
• the Working Tax Credit 4-week run on (the payment you get when you stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit)

From September, as well as the current rules, a child will also be eligible if any of the following apply:

• you get Working Tax Credits and earn no more than £16,190 a year
• they have a current statement of special educational needs (SEN) or an education, health and care plan
• they get Disability Living Allowance
• they’ve left care through special guardianship or an adoption or residence order

To confirm if you are eligible and to find out how to access your free place you can e-mail Shropshire Council at 24U@shropshire.gov.uk or phone Shropshire Family Information Service on 01743 254400.