Free Childcare Places
All 3 and 4 year olds in Staffordshire are entitled to free education places.
A free plac
e helps give children the best start in life and to help prepare them for their school years in accordance with the
Early Years Foundation Stage|.
The entitlement is 15 hours a week (term time only) for all 3 and 4 year olds in Staffordshire.
There are also limited places for
2 year olds| available in certain areas of the county.
When will my child be eligible?
Your child is usually eligible from the term| after their 3rd birthday:
Eligibility Table
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Children born between:
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Free places start from:
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1st January - 31st March
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Summer term
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1st April - 31st August
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Autumn term
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1st September - 31st December
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Spring term
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How do I claim my free places?
No money or vouchers are passed to you. The funding is paid direc
tly to the childcare provider, who applies for funding for your child. The free places are then automatically deducted from your childcare bill.
Remember: you do not have to attend for additional childcare, you can simply attend for the free places if you choose.
Your child can attend any childcare provider that is registered to provide free places, as long as they have places available. Providers may include:
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Accredited Childminders that are part of a network
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Day Nurseries (Private, voluntary or governor run)
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Pre-schools and Playgroups
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Maintained Nursery schools and classes
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Children Centres
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Creches
To find out how and where you can access free places for your child, please contact Staffordshire Family Information Service on 0300 111 8007. Terms and conditions apply.
More questions and answers|
For further information on free places, please contact Staffordshire Family Information Service.
Contact us:
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