What is the universal and extended entitlement?
Universal entitlement
All children are entitled to a funded early education place at an approved provider of the family’s choice, from the beginning of the term after they are three. This universal entitlement will provide a child with funded early education until they reach school age. The universal entitlement is 570 hours per year. This is often taken as 15 hours per week for 38 weeks of the year but families can arrange to take fewer hours per week over more weeks of the year if they prefer.
For example, your child could attend a setting for 11 hours per week for 51 weeks of the year.
Slough Borough council approves a range of providers to offer funded early education places to 2, 3 and 4 year old children. These can be found on the Slough Family Information Service website and include childminders, children’s centres, day nurseries, nursery classes in school, nursery schools, pre-schools and playgroups and private and independent nursery schools. Parents can phone the Family Information Service for information about early years providers on 01753 476589 or email them at FIS@slough.gov.uk.
Parents can find a place for their child by contacting some settings and arranging to visit and have a look around. When you visit it is important to discuss whether the days / times that you require are available in the setting. Your child can take their funded early education hours at one or two sites each day but the total hours of universal entitlement will not be more than 570 (15 hours per week for 38 weeks).