The County Council has responded to a government consultation on how to provide more free nursery education to parents.
Before responding to the consultation the Council held four focus groups to discuss the proposals. Local nursery education providers, parents and schools were invited.
Below you can download full details of the Government's proposals and our responses to them.
The entitlement to free nursery places has been extended as follows:
- from April 2006 the minimum free entitlement of 12.5 hours a week went up from 33 to 38 weeks for all three and four year olds
- from April 2007 a minimum free entitlement of 15 hours a week for 38 weeks was phased in around the country. The first groups of children and parents were able to use the free entitlement flexibly across a minimum of three days
- from 2010 the new minimum entitlement of 15 hours a week for 38 weeks is in place for all three and four year olds, on the way to a longer term goal of 20 hours a week for 38 weeks.
A draft Code of Practice describes the responsibilities of local authorities and others over how these improvements are implemented. The Code of Practice is part of a ten-year strategy, ‘Choice for parents'.
The consultation closed on 30 September 2005 – the national results are published below.
For more information please contact:
Planning and Performance Manager
Phone: 01273 481902
East Sussex County Council