Free Nursery Education

Free Nursery Education, also known as Early Education and Childcare, is available for all three and four year olds and also two year olds who meet certain criteria.

Is my child entitled to a place?

Two year olds who meet the criteria below are eligible for a free place for up to 15 hours per week for 38 weeks of the year. Free places can be offered by a variety of providers including school nurseries, private nurseries, pre-school playgroups and childminders as long as they are included in Bury's Directory of EEC providers for two, three and four year olds.

Your child is entitled to a place if:

• Household income
• You already claim Free School Meals for a child in your family
• You claim certain benefits, these are:
• Income support
• Income based Jobseekers Allowance
• Income related Employment and Support Allowance
• Support under part 6 of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 (Asylum Seeker)
• State Pension Credit - guarantee element
• You are entitled to Child Tax Credit or Working Tax Credit and your household income is less than £16,190
• This includes the Working Tax Credit 4-week run on (the payment you get when you stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit)
• You are entitled to Universal Credit and your household income is less than £15,400
• SEN (special educational needs) or disability
• The child you are claiming for has an Education, Health and Care plan or Statement of Special Educational Needs
• The child you are claiming for receives Disability Living Allowance
• Other
• The child you are claiming for is adopted or has a Special Guardianship Order
• The child you are claiming for has a child protection plan (this may not be applicable in areas other than Bury)
• The child you are claiming for is looked after by the local authority