Early Education Funding ceases on 1 September when a child enters the reception class of a school or academy.

Schools receive funding from 1 September and are legally obliged to provide an education for children from the first day of term. Although, the school are free to make other arrangements with the parents’ consent.

For example, some schools operate a phased entry where children’s first day may start after their enrolment at the school. The Local Authority will not award Early Education Funding for a phased entry period, therefore, any issues regarding phased entry must be directed to the school.

Parents who choose to access a childcare place for the periods of time their child is not in school, will need to pay the full costs of that place to their childcare provider. This is because their child’s entire funding entitlement for a full-time place is being received directly by the school or academy.

You are entitled to up to 15 hours early education funding per week across 38 weeks per year.

If you need childcare in the school holidays, you could stretch your entitlement (less hours per week but over more than 38 weeks per year).

You can claim a maximum of 10 hours in any single day between 6am and 8pm (subject to availability at your chosen provider - the provider does not have to be open during these hours).

Funding can be split between a maximum of two childcare providers in a single day.

The government funding covers up to 15 hours of high-quality childcare. Your childcare provider may still charge for meals, snacks and consumables, such as nappies or sun cream. They may also charge for additional specialist services, clubs and trips. Please check with your provider for details of any additional costs before you register to use them.

You may have to pay a reservation fee or deposit at the time of signing your parent/ carer declaration form, although you should receive your deposit back in a timely manner.

Providers can choose what time of day they offer early education funded hours or sessions. Some will only offer morning sessions for example. Unless there is a capacity issue every provider should be able to offer at least 15 hours per week and this should be discussed with you while you decide if the setting is right for your child.

If your child does not attend regularly, the local authority will consider ending entitlement. Regular attendance is important preparation for school.

Once you have chosen your childcare provider, they will explain to you when the early education funding will begin and confirm the availability of places. You will then be asked to complete a parent/carer declaration form signing up to the terms and conditions of the entitlement. Your child's entitlement will not begin without this form. Your child's childcare provider will claim the entitlement on your behalf - you do not need to do anything else.

You should be aware that this document is a legally binding contract and you should read it carefully and discuss any issues with the childcare provider.

Once you have completed a parent/carer declaration form, you have signed up to have your child's entitlement with that provider.

The entitlement will not automatically transfer with your child to a new provider if you decide to move your child, or not begin with a provider you have signed a contract with.

Your provider is entitled to request up to four calendar weeks notice of leaving, please refer to the contract you signed with the provider for further details. They will ask your help to complete a transfer form requesting the transfer of your child's early education funding. This form can be obtained from your childcare provider. If you have a safety, special education need (SEN) or quality reason for leaving and want to let us know directly please get in touch.

It's important that the old provider, you and the new provider all know the remaining hours balance for your child and that any notice due is served. We will confirm the transfer of hours and your new provider will need to let you know accordingly.

You have to pay for any hours your child attends over and above the number of funded hours per week.

Additional services such as meals, snacks and drinks, trips, and extra activities such as music and dance are not covered by early education funding, and the childcare provider may ask you to pay for these.

Providers can charge for the following extras in connection with the free hours:

• Consumables, e.g. nappies, sun cream,
• Meals and snacks
• Extra optional activities, e.g. events, celebrations, specialist tuition (for example music classes or foreign languages) or other activities that are not directly related or necessary for the effective delivery of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) statutory framework.

Any additional charges associated with funded hours must be optional to parents/carers. All providers offering the funded entitlements must have a policy in place on providing parents with options for alternatives to additional charges. This policy must offer reasonable alternatives that allow parents to access the entitlement for free, including allowing parents to supply their own, or waiving the cost of these items.

At the beginning of each new term, the childcare provider should tell you about any charges that may be incurred, enabling you to make an informed choice as to whether the childcare provider is right for you and your child.

If your child attends a childcare provider outside of this local authority area the funding will be paid by the local authority where your child attends.

Yes, but only a maximum entitlement of 15 hours per week will be funded and you will be required to pay any provider costs for the additional hours.

Early Education funding does not affect benefits received. However, the funding does mean that your childcare costs will be lower, so if you are claiming the childcare element of Working Tax Credit, you should only claim for the childcare fees you are paying to prevent an overpayment.

HMRC 0345 300 3900

A full list of all registered providers can be obtained via this Directory.

You can search for registered childcare in the Childcare section of this directory.

Alternatively, if you would like help in find childcare contact us on 01202 093131 or by email at familyinformation@bcpcouncil.gov.uk.