Children can go to nurseries and other pre-school groups in order to get a head-start in life, and help them get the best out of those first few important years.

The Government’s Department for Education & Skills has developed the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) which sets standards of care and education for children from birth to the age of five. And from September 2008, all enterprises that work with young children will use this framework. 

Pre-School 

By going to a pre-school group, young children get the chance to be around others like them and learn at the same time, which means that by the time they get to school they will have already got lots of skills, and made new friends.

You can take your under-fives to nurseries, playgroups, childminders and children’s centres. Many of these are run by local councils and others by private companies. But be aware that as a new arrival to the UK you will probably have to use a private nursery due to the high demand for local council places. Private nurseries have to charge higher rates because they do not receive government funding, but the benefit of this is that they are less over-subscribed and easier to find, giving you more choice.

See our “Find a…” section for more information.

It is also possible that your local primary or infant school has a reception class which welcomes children in the year before they would normally start school. But whichever you choose, make sure that they are registered or accredited with the local authorities. All nursery should staff should have a minimum of level 2 or 3 qualifications (known as an NVQ), so this is something to check when making enquiries.

Free Education

All children between three and five in England are entitled to 15  hours of free education each week. See the table below to find out when your child qualifies for funding.
 

They are eligible for a free place from:

1 April and 31 August
1 September following their third birthday until statutory school age
1 September and 31 December
1 January following their third birthday until statutory school age
1 January and 31 March

1 April following their third birthday until statutory school age

Most local authority nurseries are open during the school year from 9.00am till 3.30pm, whilst private nurseries can be open from 7 a.m. till 7 p.m. Playgroups are very similar to nurseries, but differ in that they are usually run by volunteers and don’t make a profit.

Other Services 

You also have the option of sending your child to one of hundreds of Surestart children’s centers around the country - the Government intends there to be one of these for every community by 2010. They provide education and care for children under the age of five for the whole of the day, and offer various other services and sporting facilities.

Your Children’s Information Service (CIS) can give you details of all the early-learning centres near you. Call them on 08002 346 346.

Providers of education for under-fives in the UK are regularly inspected by OFSTED and must provide a certain standard of learning, following guidelines for the ‘foundation’ level.


By Matt Taylor

USEFUL WORDS

pre-school / nursery = a school for children aged 2-5 years
playgroup / playschool = a place where children who are below school age go regularly to play together and to learn through playing (may be more informal than a nursery)
kindergarten = American word for pre-school/nursery
infant = a baby or very young child
toddler = a child who has only recently learnt to walk
basic literacy & numeracy = learning to read, write and do basic maths
the 3 R's = Reading, WRiting & ARithmetic (maths)
Montessori School = a school employing the Montessori method which stresses the importance of adapting the child's learning environment to his or her developmental level, and of the role of physical activity in absorbing academic concepts and practical skills

Number Idioms

I'm all at sixes and sevens = I'm not well-organised, in confusion
It knocked me for six = it affected me very deeply
at the eleventh hour = at the last possible moment, just in time
I was in seventh heaven! = extremely happy
He's on cloud nine = extremely happy
Third time lucky! = you hope that you will succeed the third time you do something
ten a penny = very common and therefore not valuable
It's second to none = the best
I'm having second thoughts = I'm changing my mind after thinking about it
We're back to square one = we've returned to the situation we had at the beginning without any progress being made

GRAMMAR SPOT

Twice a day, by the hour etc.

Use a/an in expressions of frequency, price and speed:

My daughter goes to nursery twice a week
The playgroup charges £7.50 a day
The speed limit near to schools is 30 miles an hour

Use by the to say how something is measured:

Childminders are employed by the hour or by the day

Carpets are sold by the square metre