Nursery & Early Years Education in England

What Is It?

Understanding Nursery & Early Years in England

Nursery and early years education in England covers children aged 3 to 4 years, although many settings also accept children from age 2. This stage of education — known as the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) — is not compulsory, but the vast majority of children attend some form of early years provision before starting primary school.

The EYFS framework sets the standards for all registered early years providers in England. It covers seven areas of learning and development: communication and language, physical development, personal, social and emotional development, literacy, mathematics, understanding the world, and expressive arts and design.

Government funding provides 15 hours per week of free childcare for all 3 and 4 year olds. Working parents who meet the income criteria can access 30 hours per week. From 2024–25, this is being extended to children from 9 months for eligible working parents. Nursery provision takes many forms: standalone nursery schools, nursery classes in primary schools, private nurseries, childminders, and playgroups.

Step by Step

How Nursery & Early Years Works

1

Register with your local council to check your eligibility for free childcare hours (15 or 30 hours, depending on your circumstances).
2

Search for registered nurseries and early years providers in your area using our school finder.
3

Visit your shortlisted settings — ask about the EYFS curriculum, staff qualifications, and their latest Ofsted rating.
4

Apply to your chosen setting directly. Funded hours are claimed each term by the provider.
5

Your child starts nursery. A key worker takes lead responsibility for their learning and wellbeing.
6

At age 4, your child transitions to Reception in a primary school — the next stage of their education.

Pros & Considerations

The Advantages & Things to Consider

Advantages

Government-funded hours available for all 3–4 year olds
Flexible part-time hours suit both working and non-working parents
Strong evidence that early years education improves long-term outcomes
EYFS standards ensure consistent quality across all registered providers
Supports smooth transition to the Reception year at primary school

Considerations

Not all areas have sufficient nursery places, especially maintained nursery schools
Full-time hours typically require top-up fees above the funded allocation
Quality varies significantly among private providers
The expansion of funded hours (2024–25) is still being rolled out nationally

Find Nursery & Early Years Schools Near You

Search our database of 52,000+ schools across England. Filter by type, region, local authority, and Ofsted rating.

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Related Guides

Other School Types to Explore

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Nursery & Early Years in England

When should my child start nursery in England?

Children are eligible for funded nursery hours from the term after their third birthday. Many start at 3, but some begin at 2 if eligible for 2-year funding. Starting at 3 or 4 is most common.

How many free nursery hours am I entitled to?

All 3 and 4 year olds in England are entitled to 15 hours per week of free early education. Working parents meeting income criteria get 30 hours per week. From 2024–25, funded hours are being extended to children aged 9 months to 2 years for eligible working parents.

What is the EYFS and why does it matter?

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) is the statutory framework governing all registered early years providers in England. It sets requirements across seven learning areas, plus safeguarding and welfare standards. All Ofsted-registered settings must follow it, providing a quality baseline across all types of provision.

What is the difference between a nursery school and a nursery class?

A maintained nursery school is standalone, always led by a qualified teacher with specialist early years expertise. A nursery class is part of a primary school. Both follow EYFS. Maintained nursery schools tend to have higher staff-to-child ratios, though they are less common.

Does my child need nursery before starting primary school?

No. Nursery is not compulsory. Education is compulsory from the start of the term after a child's fifth birthday. However, research shows early years provision significantly supports school readiness, especially in language and social development.

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