Early Years Education Entitlement for 3 and 4 Year olds
What is the Early Years Education Entitlement for 3 and 4 year olds?
All children aged 3 and 4 years of age are entitled to a minimum of 10 hours of funded Foundation Phase nursery (Early Years Education Entitlement) per week from the term following their third birthday. This is open to all parents and carers of 3 and 4 year olds in Wales.
How many hours of Early Years Education Entitlement are there a week / year?
School- based Nurseries (maintained) offer between 10 hrs and 12.5 hrs of Early Years Education a week Term-time only.
Non-maintained Providers (Private Providers) offer 10 hrs of Early Years Education a week Term-time only.
Who provides Early Years Education Entitlement?
- Local school (Maintained)
- Playgroup (Non-maintained)
- Day Nursery (Non-maintained)
- Cylch Meithrin (Non-maintained)
It is parental choice where you choose to send your child for your child/ren's for their Early Years Education Entitlement.
To see a list of School-based Nurseries click here
To see a list of Non-maintained click here
Please note: the application process differ between Maintained and Non-maintained providers.
To apply to a Maintained Provider you need to apply through School admissions.
To apply to a Non-maintained Provider you need to speak directly with the Provider and complete their own forms.
What is Rising 3's
Rising 3's are children who's 3rd birthday is between the of 1st September and 31st March.
Children who turn 3 between the 1st of September and December 31st are eligible for the Early Years Education Entitlement, provided by School bases Nurseries and Non-maintained Providers (who provide Early Years Education), in the January.
Children who turn 3 between the 1st of January and March 31st are eligible for the Early Years Education Entitlement, provided by School bases Nurseries and Non-maintained Providers (who provide Early Years Education), in the April.
Nursery Admission
Children who are 3 between the 1st of April and August 31st are eligible for the Early Years Education Entitlement, provided by School bases Nurseries and Non-maintained Providers (who provide Early Years Education), in the September.
Those who did not apply for a Rising 3 place, can apply to start the Early Years Education Entitlement, provided by School bases Nurseries and Non-maintained Providers (who provide Early Years Education), in the September.
Apply
2026 Admissions
The closing date for placements in January 2026, April 2026 and September 2026 has now passed, however you can still submit a late application.
- Decision date for on time applications - Monday 15 September 2025 (September 2026 4 year olds and January 2026 Rising 3s)
- Decision date for on time applications - Friday 30 January 2026 (April 2026 Rising 3s)
To make a late nursery application for 2026 placements please download and complete the Nursery School - 2026 Admission Form and return it to [email protected]
Any late application forms received will be considered on a monthly basis in line with the Admissions Policy.
Please note: nursery application will not be accepted without proof of date of birth.
Please note: Letters are sent to parents and carers of children when they are eligible to apply. If you have changed address since the birth of your child, it is your responsibility to notify school admissions of this. Please contact [email protected] or 01495 766915.
Late 2026 admissions
To make a late nursery application for 2026 placements please download and complete the Nursery School - 2026 Admission Form and return it to [email protected]
Any late application forms received will be considered on a monthly basis in line with the Admissions Policy.
Contact
For information regarding maintained nurseries (School-based Nurseries) contact [email protected] or 01495 766915.
For information regarding Non-maintained Nurseries (Private Providers) contact Torfaen Family Information Service [email protected] or 0800 0196330