Nursery Education Grant
The nursery education grant is available to all three and four year old children from the first term after their third birthday. It means that your child is entitled to a free place at certain early education centres because the grant covers the cost.
The grant is currently £8.30 per session for 38 weeks per year, over three terms.
The maximum amounts available are:
- £539.50 for the summer term, beginning 1 April (13 weeks)
- £581.00 for the autumn term, beginning 1 September (14 weeks)
- £456.50 for the spring term, beginning 1 January (11 weeks)
The local education authority pays the grant directly to the education provider.
What the grant pays for
Only places at education centres registered with the Warrington Borough Council Childcare Team can be paid for with this grant. These include:
- All schools
- All school nursery classes
- Sandy Lane Nursery
- Pre-schools registered with the Childcare Team
- Private day nurseries registered with the Childcare Team
They do not include:
- Pre-schools and private day nurseries not registered with the Childcare Team
- Childminders
- After school clubs
- Nannies
- Crèches
You can contact the Families Information Service for a list of education providers who are registered to receive the grant.
What the grant covers
- Five 2.5 hour sessions per week at a school nursery during term-time
- Five 2.5 hour sessions per week at a pre-school, playgroup or day nursery during term time
The maximum number of 2.5 hour sessions for a summer term is 65, an autumn term is 70 and a spring term is 55.
Two 2.5 hour sessions may be taken in one day as long as they are separated by a one hour lunch break.
Your child can stay at a session for a longer period than 2.5 hours but you will have to pay for the extra time yourself.
Claiming your grant
- Check that the education provider is registered to receive the grant
- If they are, they will ask you to sign a form agreeing to accept a place for your child.
For more information about the nursery education grant, please contact the Childcare Team Nursery Education Grant Administrator on 01925 442983.
Nursery education grant leaflet 
Related pages:
External websites:
Contact us:
Families Information Service
3rd Floor, New Town House
Buttermarket Street
Warrington, WA1 2NJ
Tel: 01925 443131
Email: fis@warrington.gov.uk
