When are nursery schools and classes open?
Nursery schools and classes usually open at 9am and close at 3.30pm. Most children will be offered a part-time place. This means an afternoon or a morning session of around two and a half hours. Nursery schools and classes close for school holidays of at least 13 weeks in the year, however some may additionally offer Out of School care before or after school during term time and in the school holidays.
What about full-time childcare?
Many families need more childcare to fit around these hours. You may find it helpful to employ a childminder or nanny to help out. Or you may find there is an out of school group that fits around your nursery school/class hours. Some nurseries do provide full time places, normally for older children.
How much does a nursery class or nursery school cost?
Some nursery classes and nursery schools are part of the state education system and are free except for meals and trips. Some are run by private or voluntary sector organisations and they charge fees. Fees vary across the country. Your local Children’s Information (CIS) will be able to give you information on prices in your area. Most state, private and voluntary sector providers offer free part-time early education places for eligible three and four year olds
How do I find a nursery school or a nursery class?
First of all you know your child best – look for a nursery class or nursery school you feel will suit your child. Help in making this decision is provided on a separate leaflet, “Choosing high quality childcare”.
Ask your local Children’s Information Service (CIS) to tell you more about Pre-schools near to your home. They will help you find out about your local options and they will also help if you need extra childcare to match your working hours.The Childcare Link free phone service will provide details of your local CIS on 0800 960296. Your Local Authority will be also be able to give you details of Pre-schools in your area.
What will my child do at nursery school/class?
A child will begin the first stage of the National Curriculum called the Foundation Stage that focuses on the distinct needs of children aged three until the end of the reception year of primary school. It is a broad, balanced and purposeful curriculum, delivered through planned play activities to help ensure all children have the opportunity to reach their full potential. Children will develop skills such as speaking, listening, persistence, concentration, learning to work together and co-operate with other children, as well as early reading, writing and numeracy. Most will achieve and some, where appropriate, will go beyond the early learning goals by the end of the foundation stage to help ensure they experience the best possible start to their education.
Nursery classes and nursery schools provide early education and childcare for groups of young children. They offer full or half days and they are staffed by teachers and assistants.
Nursery classes are part of primary or independent schools. They are usually for three and four year olds.
Nursery schools are separate services which are for children under five. Some are private and some are provided by local authorities.
Children who attend nursery classes or nursery schools get the chance to play and learn alongside other children and acquire skills which will give them a head start at school. Working parents may need to arrange for additional childcare to fit around the hours.
Plus points
How do I know my child will be safe and secure?
These services are all inspected by Ofsted. Different inspection arrangements apply to the different types of service. You can ask to see the latest inspection report for all types of service and the registration certificate for a private nursery school.
How many children will there be in a nursery school or nursery class?
The size of the school or class will vary but the number of staff will reflect the number of children who attend. In private and local authority nursery schools the maximum staffing levels are 2 adults to 20 children if the head is engaged in teaching or 2 adults to 26 children where the head is excluded with one of the adults being a qualified teacher and the other a qualified nursery assistant. The corresponding staffing levels for local authority nursery classes in primary schools are 2 adults to 26 children. One should be a qualified teacher and the other a qualified nursery assistant.
What age range are the children in a nursery school or class?
Normally children in nursery schools and classes will be between three and five years old. But some nursery schools have places for younger children as well.
Copies of this factsheet can be
obtained from:
© DfES Publications
PO Box 5050
Annesley
Nottingham NG15 0DJ
Tel: 0845 60 222 60
Fax: 0845 60 333 60
Textphone: 0845 60 555 60
E-mail: dfes@prolog.uk.com
Please quote ref: CCL4R
© Crown copyright 2004
Produced by Sure Start
This information is available in alternative formats
and is free of charge from the ChildcareLink website
and ChildcareLink information line:
Freephone and Textphone 08000 960296
Visit www.Childcarelink.gov.uk
Extracts from this document may be reproduced for non-commercial
or training purposes on the condition that the source is acknowledged.
PPCHER/D16/PUB030303/0704/44
Further information on the Government’s work-life balance campaign can
be found at www.dti.gov.uk/work-lifebalance