Up to 15 Hours Childcare FREE per week

Nursery (early years) education pathfinder project

Frequently asked questions

What is nursery or early years education?

Current level of nursery education grant (NEG): this is currently set at

£8.50 for a session of 2½ hours, the equivalent of £3.40 an hour. For

those engaged in the pathfinder project they are funded at £4 an hour

to facilitate flexibility of provision which affects business efficiency.

From previous reports members will know the concerns about the

funding support from the DCSF for the pathfinder project

Where are we now?: Increasing the free minimum entitlement for early years provision

Currently, all three and four year old children in Hampshire are offered 15 hours of free nursery education over 38 weeks per year. 98% of eligible children access this offer, which is one of the highest rates in the country.

During 2007-08, Hampshire was selected as a pathfinder authority with the aim of extending this entitlement to 15 hours per week over 38 weeks and delivers the entitlement flexibly (over a minimum of 3 days) according to parental needs.