A child is classed as being in Early Years education from the beginning of the term after their third birthday up until they reach compulsory school age. Compulsory school age starts the term after their fifth birthday. For the English school system the Foundation Curriculum covers the ages of 3 to 5 beginning in nursery and cumulating in the reception class.
The Early Years Foundation Stage was revised in September 2012 and then again in 2014 where they set out a standard framework “The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) sets standards for learning, development and care of children from birth to 5 years old….It gives all professionals a set of common principles and commitments to deliver quality early education and childcare experiences
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There are various types of childcare options available for children aged 0-5 year olds, the main ones being:
• Sure Start Children’s Centres: These working alongside parent’s starting with the birth of their child and help provide a variety of options and services such as early years education, care in the short term, full day care, support for the child and the family in regards to health and general family support, advice to parenting on all matters relating to their child as well as opportunities for training and even employment advice.
• Nursery Schools: These can provide early learning and childcare facilities for children between the ages of three and five. They can often be found linked to a primary school.
• Preschools and Playgroups: This type of facility is usually run by some form of voluntary group and they can provide part-time placements and early learning/ social interaction for children under the age of five. Three and four year olds are entitled to 15 hours of weekly free early year’s education at this type of
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GOV.UK)
The provision of free entitlement allows everyone the chance to partake of early childhood education and care, thus enabling all children to have the opportunity to develop and blossom from an early years’ education. The extension of the free hours also shows support for those parents who are wishing to go back to work or wish to try and develop their careers/qualifications through their own further education by providing them with affordable day care