Free early education for all 3 and 4 year olds

Have you applied for your child's free place?


Act now to avoid disappointment as places are taken up quickly

Whether you are a working parent/carer or receive additional support, your child can have a free early education place in a nursery, children’s centre, playgroup or childminder in Haringey or in the borough of your choice for up to 15 hours a week.

You do not need to apply to Haringey Council, simply go directly to your chosen, registered childcare provider (see the where can my child have a place section below).

Early education/learning is good for children’s social, physical and mental development and also helps them to prepare for school – giving your child the best start in life.

Please note – some two year olds can now have a free early learning place – however you will need to apply directly to Haringey using our online form so we can assess your application to see if you meet our eligibility criteria. 


When can my child start?

Free early education starts the term after the child turns 3 years old (see the table below) and continues until they start in the reception class of their primary school.

Remember to contact your chosen provider just before or as soon as your child turns 3 because you need to register in readiness for the relevant term they can start in (see below). Also places get taken up quickly.

Table: date your child can start

For children born betweenFunding starts from
1 September to 31 DecemberSpring term – 1 January
1 January to 31 MarchSummer term – 1 April
1 April to 31 AugustAutumn term – 1 September

Or you can use the ready reckoner below, which works out the term start date for you:

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Where can my child have a place?

Our easy search helps you find Haringey’s free childcare providers. You can also choose the area and type of provider you are looking for.

Free childcare providers

Remember: you do not need to apply to Haringey Council for a free early education place for 3 and 4 year olds – you just go directly to your chosen childcare provider (in or out of Haringey) and tell them that you want to claim your free place and they will ask you to sign a form.

The places in Haringey which offer free early education include:

You can find out more about different types of childcare providers on our childcare options page.

If you need advice or help to find a childcare place in Haringey, please visit your nearest Children's Centre.

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Choosing a childcare provider

You may find it helpful to visit some childcare providers, to help you decide where is best for your child. Recommendations from other parents can be helpful, but remember that each child is different, and what suits someone else’s child may not be right for yours.

All registered childcare providers are inspected every few years by Ofsted, who assess how well they are doing. You can see all the reports on the Ofsted website (external link), or you can ask the childcare provider to show you their most recent report.

If you need help finding a childcare place in Haringey, please call 020 8489 1000 or visit your nearest Children's Centre.

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How the free early education hours work

Funding

Your child’s place of up to 15 hours per week will be completely free of charge to you – all money is paid directly from the council to the childcare provider where your child has a place. Childcare providers can however charge parents a refundable deposit. Providers should however refund the deposit in full once your child takes up their place.

If you need more than the free 15 hours of early education offered you can buy extra hours from your childcare provider.

Your childcare provider may also charge you for additional services – for example, lunch, snacks, trips and extracurricular activities.

Early Years Pupil Premium

Did you know your child’s childcare provider can receive up to £376.20 per year, per child (£387.60 from 1 April 2024) in extra funding through the government’s Early Years Pupil Premium grant? This extra funding is to improve your child’s learning outcomes and will make a real difference. You can apply for Early Years Pupil Premium if your child is aged 3-or-4 years old and is registered for the universal entitlement of 15 hours per week.

If you receive benefits and your income is below £16,190 you could be eligible. View the eligibility information and see if you qualify (external link).

This payment to the childcare provider for your child will not affect any benefits you are claiming.

To apply for Early Years Pupil Premium please speak to your local childcare provider who will add your details to the Parental Agreement Form and claim the funding to support your child.

Note: From 1 April 2024 childcare providers can apply to receive Early Years Pupil Premium for 2-year-old children from low income families.

Disability Access Fund (DAF)

Your child’s early years provider could get £881.00 per child per year (£910.00 from 1 April 2024 per child per year) to help with your child's education and support.

This is paid directly to your chosen early years provider.

You can apply to get disability access funding if your child is aged 3 or 4 and you are receiving both:

Get extra DAF funding for your early years provider – GOV.UK (external link).

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Finding out more information

If you have any questions or would like any more information about free early education you can contact us:

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Page last updated:

February 22, 2024