Settings for learning

Childcare

With the move towards integrated services, education, childcare and a range of other family services are increasingly being delivered alongside each other, and the distinction between early years education and childcare is becoming less significant. This range of services is often now available on the same site.

Sure Start local programmes

Sure Start local programmes work with parents and parents-to-be to improve children's life chances through better access to family support, advice on nurturing, health services and early learning.

Sure Start Children’s Centres

Children’s Centres provide high quality integrated education, care, family support and health services. A network of them is being established across the country.

Early Excellence Centres

Early Excellence Centres offer high quality practice in one-stop-shop integrated education and day care for young children, and services and opportunities for parents, carers, families and the wider community both directly and in cooperation with other providers.

Maintained nursery schools

Maintained nursery schools take children from the age of three or four. They are open during school term time and normally offer five half-day sessions a week.

Nursery classes in maintained primary schools

Nursery classes in maintained primary schools take children from the age of three or four years old. They are open during school term time and normally offer five half-day sessions a week.

Private nursery schools

Private nursery schools usually take children between the ages of two and five years old. They offer half or full-day sessions and some stay open in the school holidays.

Playgroups

Pre-school playgroups generally take children between the ages of three and five years old. Most playgroups offer half-day sessions. They are usually non-profit making and managed by volunteers, often including parents.

Reception classes in maintained primary schools

Reception classes take children at four or five years old. Some start children off with half-day sessions and build up to full-time attendance.

Day nurseries

Children under five years old can attend day nurseries part-time or full-time, depending on their parents' needs. These may be run by local authorities, voluntary organisations, private companies or individuals, or by employers.

Childminding

Registered childminders are professional carers who work in their own homes and provide children with care and learning opportunities in a family setting.

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