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Pre-nursery Foundation Phase Nursery (FPN) education

All local authorities have a duty to ensure all children from the term following their third birthday can access a free part time (minimum 10 hours per week) pre-nursery FPN placement either at school or in a non-maintained registered education setting.

In Rhondda Cynon Taf, children are eligible for a part time (up to 15 hours) pre-nursery FPN education place from the term following their 3rd birthday. 

Some schools are able to offer pre-nursery FPN education places and parents can apply for these online.  These places are provided strictly subject to availability and cannot be guaranteed at any school. 

Where schools are unable to meet the demand, a part time placement may be funded in a Registered Education Provider (REP).  These are non-maintained Care Inspectorate Wales (CIW) registered childcare settings that are also inspected by Estyn to deliver pre-nursery FPN education.  These places are also provided strictly subject to availability and cannot be guaranteed.  A placement in a REP will only be funded if there is no place available in a school.

Each child is eligible for an education place from the term following their birthday as follows:

  • If born between 1st April and 31st August, child can access a place from the start of the Autumn term (September) following their 3rd birthday
  • If born between 1st September and 31st December, child can access a place from the start of the Spring term (January) following their 3rd birthday
  • If born between 1st January and 31st March, child can access a place from the start of the Summer term (April) following their 3rd birthday

Please note pre-nursery FPN education places in REP’s are only funded for children who are 3 years old between September and March each year and cannot access a school place until the following September (therefore REP placements are not funded in the Autumn term).

Applications for both school and REP places can be made online via School Admissions at schooladmissions.rhondda-cynon-taff.gov.uk.  Applications for January intake open in September, whilst applications for April intake open in January each year. 

You can find more information and details of all schools and REP’s in the Starting Schools Booklet, or at School Admissions.

Can’t find what you are looking for? Need more information or advice?
Contact the Family Information Service now on 
- Freephone: 0800 180 4151
- Freephone from mobiles: 0300 111 4151