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Pathfinder pilot - free flexible early education for 3 and 4 year olds

15 hours free childcare

Haringey Council is now offering 15 hours per week of free childcare and education for your 3 and 4 year olds for 38 weeks per year depending on the setting your child attends.

The 10 year children's plan for childcare builds on the existing successful 12.5 hour free provision for children by increasing the entitlement to 15 hours a week over 38 weeks a year enabling parents and carers to use this entitlement more flexibly to balance family and working life.

For further information on the current 12.5 hour free entitlement you can visit our NEG pages via the following link Nursery Education Grant NEG.

Why is Haringey piloting this?

By 2010 the government wants to extend the existing free entitlement from 12.5 to 15 hours per week and enable parents and carers to access a minimum of three childcare sessions per week.

The aim is to ensure a better fit between the needs of working families and the learning and developmental needs of children. Haringey has been selected by the government to test the take up of extended and flexible nursery education. This pilot program is called Pathfinder.

By taking up the pilot offer parents will be providing direct feedback to the government prior to the entitlement being rolled out across the country in 2010 as well as informing the authority of the childcare needs within Haringey.

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How can I use these free hours?

The 15 hours of free early learning and care each week can be used across a minimum of three days to help parents and carers who work or study. The 15 hours can be claimed across a maximum of two childcare providers. The conditions of the offer are that the sessions used must be at least 2 hours long, no more than 10 hours in one day or 13 hours if being accessed over only 2 days.

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How old does my child need to be?

All 3 and 4 year olds who live in Haringey are eligible for 15 free hours per week. The free hours start the term after the child's third birthday.


Month born	Funding starts
April to August	1 September
September to December	1 January
January to March	1 April

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How do I claim the free hours?

To benefit from the 15 hours of free nursery education

Your child will need to be 3 or 4 years old see table above for details.
Decide on the flexible hours
Agree the flexible hours with your chosen provider and sign the Pathfinder parent statement of understanding a copy of which will be sent through to us by your childcare provider where we will process the claim.

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What do I do if I need more hours?

You will have to pay for any additional hours at the childcare providers normal hourly rate.

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Do I have to pay for extras if I am just taking my free hours?

You can choose to use your 15 free hours and providers cannot insist that you take up extras such as lunch, breakfast or additional hours.

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Are there any restrictions?

You will need to ask your childcare provider if they are part of the scheme - most childcare providers in Haringey are. However, childminders need to be accredited to be able to offer the free hours. Speak to your childminder for further details.

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Where can my child have a free place?

Your child can have a free place at a maximum of two settings that are registered to offer these extended hours. These include:

Pre-school play groups
Private nurseries
Haringey children's centres
Nursery classes in primary schools
Childminders who are part of an approved network and are accredited

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Where can I find out more?

For lists of childcare providers in your area offering the extended hours you can call 020 8489 1546 or email childcare@haringey.gov.uk or search by postcode on the Family Information Services Directory (FISD).

Alternatively you can visit one of the council Customer Service Centres.

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Further Information

Pathfinder Coordinator
Children's Centre Development Team
The Children & Young Peoples Service
Neighbourhood Resource Centre
177 Park Lane
N17 0HJ

Tel 020 8489 2491

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