Government funding for part-time places, sometimes confusingly referred to as ‘Free Nursery Places’, is paid directly to the nursery. It currently gives children in most London boroughs up to 15 hours of free early education a week, starting from the term after their third birthday.

Some of our nurseries are now also able to free early education to eligible two year olds – so please speak to your Nursery Manager about what we can offer you under this scheme.

Free places for all three and four year olds

The goverment pays participating nurseries to provide 570 hours of free childcare a year.  The place starts the term after their third birthday.  This is sometimes called 'The Free Entitlement' or 'Nursery Education Funding'. These free hours are often used alongside additional paid-for hours to make a big difference to families nursery bills.

Schools and some nurseries offer 15 hours a week free during school term-time. Nurseries that are open all year can also offer this as 11 hours a week free year-round instead. This is sometimes called 'The Stretched Entitlement'.

Please note that standalone places are subject to availability.  If we cannot offer you your preferred choice of hours at a particular nursery, we will try to offer you alternative hours or refer you to an alternative nursery that might be able to help.

Additional offer for less affluent two year olds

There is now a similar offer for two year olds who come from low income families. If you, or a family you know, is in receipt of benefits or Tax Credits in addition to the basic Family Element, please speak to your Nursery Manager about making an application to your local authority through the nursery. Please note that spaces on this scheme are limited and are allocated by the local authority not the nursery.  The terms of the offer are different in different boroughs.