2 Year Funding Entitlement Announced from April 2024.
When can parents/ carers apply?
Parents/ carers can apply from the 2nd January 2024 via the Childcare Choices website. Local Authorities are recommending that parents apply from February. This will ensure their eligibility code remains valid and will not need to be reconfirmed until the Summer term.
How do parents/ carers know their child is eligible for the new 2 year funding entitlement?
The Childcare Choices website provides all information. Please note, the Local Authority is unable to override the decision of their application as this is controlled centrally by the Government. For further information please visit Childcare Choices | 30 Hours Childcare, Tax-Free Childcare and More | Help with Costs | GOV.UK
If you already have a 30 hour code please make sure you login
to your Childcare Choices account and keep your code up to date!
FUNDING INFORMATION FOR 2, 3 AND 4-YEAR-OLDS
THREE AND FOUR YEAR OLDS
Free nursery education is available to all 3 and 4 year olds. If your child’s third birthday falls between:
•1 April and 31 August you will be eligible from the 1 September
•1 September and 31 December you will be eligible from 1 January
•1 January and 31 March you will be eligible from 1 April
30 HOURS FUNDING
From September 2017 we will be offering 30 hours funding for 3 and 4 year olds who are eligable. To find out more information on the 30 hours funding please visit https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/
Parents are welcome to utilise additional sessions, but these will be chargeable. For prices please contact enquiries@rainbow-preschool.co.uk
IN ORDER TO ACCESS FREE ENTITLEMENT YOU MUST:
1) Complete a Parent Declaration Form; which will be given to you by staff at Rainbow at three points throughout the year to complete and return by the deadlines stated. If the deadlines are missed you may be invoiced for the sessions allocated to your child
2) you will need to provide proof of eligibility for the free entitlement, we normally ask to see a child’s birth certificate at your home visit or prior to entry to evidence your child’s age
TWO-YEAR-OLDS
Up to 15 hours per week of free early education and childcare is available for 2-year-olds whose families are eligible. Please call Central Bedfordshire Council on 0300 300 8585 to check your options.
WANT TO CLAIM FOR 30 HOURS OF FUNDED CHILDCARE AND EDUCATION NEXT TERM?
You can apply from when your child is 2 years and 36 weeks old.
When your child turns 3 When they can get 30 hours from Recommended time to apply
1 September to 31 December 1 January 15 October to 30 November
1 January to 31 March 1 April 15 January to 28 February
1 April to 31 August 1 September 15 June to 31 July
You can apply outside of these recommended dates but you might not receive your code in time.
You must have a valid code by the end of the month before a new term starts.
You have to reconfirm your eligibility every 3 months. If you apply more than 3 months before the term starts, you’ll have to reconfirm your eligibility in your account in order to keep your code valid.
To apply please use the link below:-
EARLY YEARS PUPIL PREMIUM (EYPP) FUNDING
The Early Years Pupil Premium (EYPP) funds are designed to narrow the attainment gap between young children from low-income families and their peers by improving the facilities, equipment and learning experiences provided to benefit their growth and development. The funds are provided to support your child’s individual needs.
All children aged 3 and 4 who meet the eligibility criteria will benefit from the funding which is paid directly to Rainbow Pre-School & Extended Services. All parents will be asked to supply details to allow a check to be run by the Local Authority, this will be done via a section on the Parent Declaration form you complete each term if your child is eligible for the nursery education funding described above. If your child is eligible Rainbow will notify you and work closely with you to identify ways in which the funds received can support your child.
MORE INFO:
The Nursery Education Funding (NEF) we receive comes from Bedfordshire County Council, which only covers the very basics for running Rainbow Pre-School & Extended Services. Any donations of toys, craft materials and other items to use during the sessions are gratefully received. Also if you have any fundraising ideas, don’t keep them to yourself, get in touch!