01-09-03 - Free Nursery Education for 3 Year Olds in Cumbria

Cumbria Early Years Development & Childcare Partnership is delighted to announce that from this month, all three year olds in Cumbria will be now be entitled to free part time nursery education from the term after their third birthday. Parents can use this entitlement for a free place in a local authority nursery class or nursery school, pre-school, private day nursery, independent nursery class or school.   

Since 1998, parents of all four year olds have been able to benefit from free part time nursery education. From April 2004 Cumbria County Council is making funding available to allow all children from age three to benefit. Parents of children who will be three between 1 September and 31 December 03 and who wish to take up a place in an LEA nursery school or classes need to apply for their free nursery education as soon as possible. Pre-schools and private Day Nurseries have their own cut off dates. Application forms will be available from nursery education providers.   

County Councillor Joan Stocker, Cabinet Spokesperson for Education stresses the importance of early years education. She says   

"Cumbria County Council has a strong commitment to growing and improving childcare services and early education in Cumbria. Access to good nursery education and childcare are essential to contribute to the well being of families and educational progress and there has never been such a demand for childcare as there is now. However parents and children want to use childcare that is good quality, affordable and meets their needs. 

Cumbria already provides free part time early education for all four year olds whose parents want it. Our budget this year has put in extra funding for three year olds to receive nursery class sessions in the term after their third birthday, in line with the government policy on universal nursery education for all three year olds. The National Childcare Strategy is creating new childcare places for children in nurseries, pre-schools, childminders, and out of school clubs and we have already seen the development of many more childcare providers across this area.   

We know that nursery education makes a real difference. The 'Foundation Stage', which is now part of the national curriculum, covers the development of a child from ages 3 - 5. The new entitlement for part time nursery education for three year olds supports this. "   

Janet Farebrother, Foundation Stage Co-ordinator at Cumbria Early Years Development & Childcare Partnership says,   

"This new funding will entitle parents of children aged three to 5 half day sessions at a registered nursery education provider, be this a nursery, a pre-school or a nursery class. It's great news for parents who can be assured of the quality of the education their child is receiving as well as the childcare savings they are making through their free entitlement." 

The Children's Information Service (CIS) has up-to-date information on the availability of all nursery education across Cumbria. For information on the new nursery education entitlement, call the CIS on 08457 125737 (local rate). There is an Information Sheet available to parents which gives guidance on how to apply for free part time nursery education at an LEA nursery education provider, for a copy call the School Places Team on 01228 606999/601171.