Early Education

Early education takes place in most childcare settings, including private nurseries, which you will find in the Childcare section.  Other settings in which children receive early education are playgroups, nursery classes, and nursery places in private schools.  The Government requires each of these to follow the Early Years Foundation Stage educational programme.  The Government also implements an inspection called Ofsted (the Office for Standards in Education), which looks into the achievements and quality of the nursery or playgroup and ensures that the Early Years Foundation Stage is being delivered.    You can find more information on what the Ofsted inspection involves, and what the Early Years Foundation Stage is, by visiting the following websites, ofsted.gov.uk  and direct.gov.uk/eyfs.

Playgroups:  Playgroups usually offer morning or afternoon sessions for 2 to 5 year olds.  They may only be open during term time so do ask if this is important to you.  Have a look at those listed below.  There is quite a choice of different environments.

Nursery classes:  Nurseries offer free sessions either five mornings or five afternoons a week during term time.  Children start in the term they are 3 years old and attend until they start school.  To obtain information about nursery classes available in Brighton and Hove please visit the following, brighton-hove.gov.uk/index.cfm?request=c1128261. 

Private schools nursery places:  Children can attend from 3 to 5 years old.  This is a good choice if you want your child to attend a particular private school.

It is worth bearing in mind that the government provides free early education for 3 and 4 year olds.   Most pre-school establishments offer free sessions for children after the term in which they have their third birthday.  The free sessions are usually up to 5 two-and-a-half hour sessions per week.  That usually means parents can have 12-and-a-half hours per week free at a childcare setting of their choice, (this is due to increase from September 2010 to 15 hours per week).  Many playgroups and nurseries offer longer sessions.  In these situations a parent can choose to make up the difference in cost for the extra hours attended by their child.  Please see the following directory of playgroups and nurseries in Brighton, Hove and nearby area.  They are by no means the only playgroups and nurseries in Brighton so if you have one you would like added to the Kids in Brighton website then please send us an email via our contacts page.