Schools, early years and childcare

The early years are critical in a child's development. Children develop rapidly during this time - physically, intellectually, emotionally and socially. All children should be given the opportunity to experience the very best possible start to their education. Nursery education provides a foundation for a lifetime of learning and is great fun too.

All children in Medway are entitled to a free nursery education place from shortly after their third birthday.

Free nursery education in Medway is available in nursery classes attached to some primary schools, in around 120 pre-schools, nurseries, with accredited childminders and for older four year-olds, in primary school reception classes.

The period from the age of three years until the beginning of Year 1 in primary school (when children are coming up to six years old) is called the Foundation Stage of learning. Nurseries, pre-schools, accredited childminders and schools working with children who are in the Foundation Stage provide a curriculum to enable children to achieve Early Learning Goals (www.qca.org.uk/160.html).

Nurseries, pre-schools and accredited childminders in Medway are inspected by Ofsted (www.ofsted.gov.uk) and supported by a team of qualified early years advisers.

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