Ceredigion County Council website

Nursery education is funded education available for all children from the term after their third birthday, for up to 10 hours per week during term time. These 10 hours must be claimed from one school or setting at a time (they cannot be split across multiple providers).

For eligible working parents, these nursery education hours are used as part of the Welsh Government Childcare Offer (up to 30 hours per week during term time).

Nursery education is the early learning your child receives between the ages of 3 and 4. It supports children’s holistic development and helps them settle into learning experiences that align with the Curriculum for Wales.

When can my child start nursery education?

Your child can start their part time nursery education from the term following their third birthday (term time only).

What are the benefits of Nursery Education for my child?

Attending a nursery class or setting for these 10 hours can give your child a strong start. Children build positive relationships with other children and adults and learn through high quality play indoors and outdoors. Practitioners observe children’s interests and use these to plan play based experiences that are enjoyable and support positive attitudes to learning.

Learning through play

The Curriculum for Wales places play at the heart of early learning. Through play, children build language, communication and social skills. They explore, use their imagination, take appropriate risks and learn from mistakes in a supportive environment, helping them make sense of the world and develop confidence in their own ideas.

Children learn in different ways through play, including role play, construction, creative activities, exploration and imaginative play. These experiences support a broad range of development and help lay strong foundations for future learning.

Guidance

Nursery education for 3 and 4 year olds: A guide for parents and carers.

In funded non maintained settings, children follow Curriculum for funded non maintained nursery settings, which forms part of the Curriculum for Wales. Some school nursery classes may also use this curriculum (this is decided upon, by the school). It is for children aged 3 - 4 and supports holistic development through high quality play, well being and child centred learning - helping children to be curious, confident and ready for the next stage of their learning journey.

Learning and development are supported through five developmental pathways that focus on the whole child:

1. Belonging
2. Communication
3. Exploration
4. Well being
5. Physical development

These pathways help staff plan experiences that match your child’s individual development, not their age alone.

The curriculum is also shaped by the four purposes of the Curriculum for Wales. Nursery education helps children to begin developing as:

• Ambitious, capable learners
• Enterprising, creative contributors
• Ethical, informed citizens
• Healthy, confident individuals

For more information go to Welsh Government's Curriculum for funded non-maintained nursery settings page.

Early years settings across the county are committed to providing inclusive childcare and early education, ensuring that all children can participate in play, learning, and social experiences within their local community.

The Additional Learning Needs (ALN) Code for Wales applies to children and young people aged 0 to 25, including those in the early years. The Code explains that a child has additional learning needs if they have a learning difficulty or disability that requires additional learning provision (ALP).

For children under compulsory school age, the Code states that a child is considered to have ALN if they have, or would be likely to have, a learning difficulty or disability that requires additional support when they reach school age.

The ALN system aims to ensure that children with additional needs are identified early and supported to overcome barriers to learning so that they can achieve their full potential.

Early Years ALN Support

Under the ALN Code, each local authority must appoint an Early Years Additional Learning Needs Lead Officer (EY ALNLO). This role helps coordinate support for children under compulsory school age who may have additional learning needs and ensures appropriate arrangements are in place to support them and their families.

Local authorities work with childcare providers, health professionals, and families to identify needs early and provide appropriate support.

Mudiad Meithrin Inclusion and Referral Scheme

Within the county, the Mudiad Meithrin Referral Scheme supports children with emerging or identified additional needs who attend Welsh-medium early years settings (Cylchoedd Meithrin).

The scheme works in partnership with early years providers, families, and other professionals to support children’s participation in Welsh-medium provision. Support may include:

• advice and guidance for early years practitioners
• liaison with relevant professionals and support services
• access to resources or specialist equipment
• assistance in securing additional staffing support where required

This support helps ensure that all children have the opportunity to access inclusive Welsh-medium early years provision within their local community.

Further information about Mudiad Meithrin and inclusion in Welsh-medium early years settings can be found in this document.