Children move into the pre-school room in the academic year before they are due to start school. Every 3- 4 year old is entitled to 15 hours of pre-school education from the Government the term after their 3rd birthday. Explained in the table below:

If your child is born between:They are eligible for a free place from:
1 April and 31 August1 September following their third birthday or the beginning of the autumn* school term
1 September and 31 December1 January following their third birthday or the beginning of the spring* school term
1 January and 31 March1 April following their third birthday or the beginning of the summer* school term

30 hours free childcare

Working parents of 3 and 4 year olds are now entitled to 30 hours free childcare. Eligible parents are welcome to use their entitlement flexibly throughout the day between 7.45am - 6pm.

To be eligible, you must meet the following criteria:

  • Your child will be aged 3 or 4 when the scheme starts
  • Both parents must be working, or the sole parent is working in a lone parent family
  • Each parent earns, on average, a weekly minimum equivalent to 16 hours at National Minimum Wage or National Living Wage
  • Each parent must have an annual income of less than £100,000

Families where one parent does not work (or neither works) will not normally be eligible for the extended entitlement but will continue to receive 15 hours free childcare.

How to apply

Parents will be able to apply online to check eligibility from July 2017. If eligible, parents receive a code to give to their childcare provider. The code will be valid for 3 months.

For more information on this new entitlement, visit: www.lancashire.gov.uk/children-education-families/early-years-childcare-and-family-support/paying-for-childcare/30-hours-free-childcare/

Download our Local Offer - Early Years Settings Download our St Andrews Out of School Clubs - Inspection Report