Free Early Education Entitlement for 3 to 4 year olds (FEEE)
Is your child three or four years old?
Would you like to:
- study?
- return to work?
- give your child the opportunity to enjoy, learn and develop?
- give your child the opportunity to build positive relationships whilst exploring their environment?
If so, you can get a free childcare place for your child from the month after their third birthday in a FEEE approved childcare setting e.g.
- a children’s centre
- a nursery class in a primary school
- a nursery school
- a pre-school or playgroup
- a private nursery
What is FEEE?
The Free Early Education Entitlement (FEEE) is a government grant which enables children aged three and four to have free nursery education from the month after their third birthday until they reach compulsory school age. The FEEE can be provided by approved FEEE providers.
Since September 2010, each child is entitled to 570 hours of Free Early Education each year, which must be taken over a minimum of 38 weeks, equating to 15 hours per week. If your child attends a setting which is open more than 38 weeks, then the Free Early Education Entitlement will be spread equally over those weeks. For example, if your child attends a setting that is open for 50 weeks a year, they will receive 11.4 hours a week.
Each Free Early Education session must be:
- A minimum of 2.5 hours long
- A maximum of 10 hours long
Your child must attend the setting for a minimum of 3 days per week to receive their full entitlement. A minimum of 2.5hrs may be deducted from the full weekly entitlement for each day attended below the 3 days attendance. For example, a child who only attends 2 days per week would be entitled to a max of 12.5hrs per week. All places are subject to availability at the chosen provider.
Should parents/carers require childcare for additional hours, the provider will charge for this. You should ask for a breakdown of fees detailing what the Free Early Education discount is, and how much you have to pay additionally.
The majority of parents/carers, who require only the Free Early Education Entitlement, access this through their local nursery school or pre-school, although some full day-care providers do offer this service.
Please Note: Taking up a nursery place at a school DOES NOT guarantee a reception or Year 1 place at that school. There is a completely separate and independent admissions procedure for reception and Year 1 classes in a school.
When can I claim the FEEE?
You can claim from the month after your child reaches three years old. Each term your provider will request that you sign a Free Early Education Entitlement Declaration Form stating the number of FEEE hours your child receives. You must complete and sign the form in order for your child to receive their FEEE hours.
For more information on the FEEE download the Parents/ Carers Guide to FEEE (3.05MB PDF file)
Where can I find a list of approved FEEE providers?
For a full list of FEEE approved childcare providers, please contact the Family Information Service or visit the Children and Young People’s Directory where you will be able to obtain information about local providers.
How to get in touch with the Family Information Service
Telephone us
Call us on 020 8496 3000 and ask for the Family Information Service. Our staff will provide information over the phone and in writing.
We have an answer phone service when the service is closed.
Email wffis@walthamforest.gov.uk
Fax
020 8496 2313
Visit us
Waltham Forest Family Information Service
Silver
Birch House
Blackhorse Lane
Walthamstow E17 5SD
Opening hours
Our offices are open to the public Monday-Friday 9am to 4.30pm.
