In March 2023 the government announced plans to change how you can claim “free” funded hours.
• Each child, over the age of 9 months and with working parents, will be entitled to 30 hours of “free” term-time childcare (early education) by September 2025, where eligibility will match the existing 3-4-year-old 30 hours offer.
The funded hours will be introduced in phases:
• 15 hours of free childcare for working parents of 2-year-olds coming into effect in April 2024
• 15 hours of free childcare for working parents of 9 months – 3 years old in September 2024.
You can read the official announcement from the government here
What is 2 year funding?
A child can only be accepted for a two year funded place if they fall into one of the following categories:
1. Parents receiving Working Tax Credits and have annual gross earnings of no more than £16,190 per year.
2. The child has a current statement of SEN or an Education, Health and Care plan.
3. The child has left care through special guardianship or an adoption or residence order.
Families who fall into the above criteria will be notified by the local council by letter, this letter must be shown as proof of eligibility and a copy taken for future reference.
What will the 2 year grant fund?
Children accessing the funded places will be offered places by one of the following options:
Option 1
Children may attend any of the following 7.5 hour sessions, 2 days per week, over 38 weeks per year.
9.00am - 4.30pm or 9.30am - 5.00pm
Option 2
Children may attend for one full day and one half day per week, over 38 weeks of the year.
7.30am - 5.30pm or 8.00am - 6.00pm
7.30am - 12.30pm or 1.00pm - 6.00pm per week
Option 3
Children may attend for one extended day per week, over 50 weeks of the year.
7.30am - 5.30pm or 8.00am - 6.00pm
What is 3 year funding? (FEF)
The Free Entitlement Funded place for your child is up to a maximum of 15 hours free per week, for up to 38 weeks per year in line with the school terms.
We are able to offer all 3 and 4 year old children a Free Entitlement Funded (FEF) place once they become eligible which is the term after their 3rd Birthday.
Flexibility of the entitlement is subject to spaces within the pre-school room, here at Kids Zone Nurseries, our settings offer the free early entitlement funding in the following ways:
• 3 hours per day over 5 days of the week.
Or
• Up to a maximum of 6 hours deducted off your daily fee.
Don't Miss Out!
Before your child turns 3 at the start of a term, we will be able to advise you on how to obtain the 30 hours funding for the following term.
You will need to register online at www.childcarechoices.gov.uk and if you are eligible, you will be issued with a ‘code’.
Once you have received your code, come and talk to the Nursery Manager to enrol your child.
What is 30 hour funding?
A 30 hours funded place for your child is up to a maximum of 30 hours FREE per week, for up to 38 or 51 weeks per year (570 funded hours) in line with the school terms.
We are able to offer 3 and 4 year old children a place once they become eligible which is the term after their 3rd Birthday.
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