Early years education
Free, part time, Early Years Education is available from the term following a child’s 3rd birthday. This is sometimes called Rising 3’s or Foundation Phase Nursery.
You can apply for either a school nursery place or a Foundation phase place in a childcare setting if your child’s 3rd birthday is between 1 September and 31 March. If your child’s 3rd birthday falls outside of these dates, they can only apply for a school-based nursery place.
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Child’s 3rd Birthday
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When your child can start Foundation Phase Nursery
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1 September to 31 December
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Your child can start at the beginning of term on or after 1st January (Includes Spring and Summer terms)
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1 January to 31 March
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Your child can start at the beginning of term on or after 1st April (Includes Summer term only)
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1 April to 31 August
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You child can start in a school-based nursery at the beginning of term on or after 1st September
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Your child is entitled to a minimum of 10 hours per week in an Approved Early Years setting which can be
- A nursery class in a school setting
- An approved pre-school or playgroup, or
- An approved day nursery
During the academic year of your child’s 4th birthday, Early Years Education is only available in a school setting.
To apply you will need to complete an application form. Visit our school admissions section you will be asked for your child’s date of birth and the correct form will be provided.
Please Note: If your child attends an Early Years Education place in either the Spring or Summer term, this does not automatically mean they can attend nursery at that school when they turn 4 years old. You will need to make a new application for nursery where the normal school admissions criteria will apply.
Childcare Offer for Wales
Under the Childcare Offer for Wales, you could claim up to 30 hours of early education and childcare per week, for up to 48 weeks of the year. The scheme aims to make life a bit easier for parents or carers by providing support with childcare costs.
Eligible children aged 3-4 years could be entitled to government funded childcare from the term following their 3rd birthday until they are in full time education.
This means that, as well as 10 hours of part-time Early Years Education, your child could also be entitled to 20 hours of funded childcare during term time, and 30 hours during school holidays.
Visit the Childcare Offer for Wales section for further details and how to apply.