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Frequently Asked Questions

Answer:

Funded childcare places are available for families as follows:

For children 9 months to 4 years:

  • Working Parent Entitlement – 30 hours is now available for eligible working parents. Find out more

For 2 year olds receiving support:

  • known as Think2 – 15 funded hours per for families who may not be in work, low income or receiving government support. Find out more and how to apply. Application is made to Staffordshire County Council

  • Working Parent Entitlement – an extra 15 hours could be available for families eligible for Think2 and parent/s are working. Find out more and how to apply.

For families eligible for both Think2 and the working parent entitlement, this could equate to 30 funded hours per week.

For 3 and 4 year olds:

Parents can access the Working Parent Entitlements from the term after they have successfully applied for an age eligible child.

Parents can access funded hours at registered childminder, both private and school based nurseries, pre-schools and some wraparound providers, depending on availablity.

Children could access funding up until and including the term a child turns 5 years old, but 4 year olds attending a primary school reception class will not be eligible as this is considered a full time school place.

 Why is early education funding imporant to parents and children?

Government funding is intended to pay for quality, flexible childcare. Apart from helping parents with the cost of childcare,  it also enables parents for respite, to work for longer or seek employment.

It is important for children to give them the best start in life. The benefits for children range from:

  • quality learning and development
  • consistent routines and play
  • new experiences
  • making friends
  • becoming more confident and embedding good habits
  • preparing for school

Therefore it is important of children having good attendance at their childcare setting.

Answer:

Apart from the universal hours for 3 and 4 year olds, parents will have to meet the eligibility criteria and apply for all other elements of funded childcare, this includes:

• Think2 – 2 year funding for low income families receiving government support.

  • Parents apply to Staffordshire County Council. Successful applications will receive a confirmation code that you must give to your childcare provider.

• Working Parent Entitlements – for children from 9-months to 4 years and includes the extra 15 hours for 3 and 4 year olds.

  • Parents must meet the criteria and apply via the government website Best Start in Life (formerly Childcare Choices). Parents who receive a code must present this to their childcare provider so it can be validated.
  • Fosters Carers and their Social Worker must apply to Staffordshire County Council for the Working Parent Entitlement, not to Best Start in Life. Find out more.

*Best Start in Life are solely responsible for checking eligibility on application made to them for the Working Parent Entitlements.

Answer:
  • Think2 – once parents have applied and received a code, this funding remains in place until the child becomes eligible for the universal entitlement for 3 year olds.
  • 3 and 4 year olds Universal 15 hours – all children are entitled to this funding in England regardless of circumstances. That includes children who have moved from another country.

Working Parent Entitlements:

Families who have applied to Best Star for Life will be sent reminders from them advising parents to reconfirm their eligibility every 3 months. Parents who fail to reconfirm or are no longer eligible could lose their funded hours. But in these cases would receive a grace period of funding.

*Foster carers will be sent reminders to reconfirm from Staffordshire County Council and not Best Start in Life.

Parents or carers who are no longer eligible or let their code lapse will receive a grace period of funding to help resolve any eligibilty issues.

Answer:

Families who fall out of eligibility of the working parent entitlement will receive what is called a 'Grace Period'of funding. This is an extended short period of time where a child continues to receive the Working Parent Entitlement so parents can either reconfirm the code they forgot to do or to try find employment and therefire continue to receive the funded hours.

Once the grace period has lapsed, parents who do not meet eligibility will lose access to the Working Parent Entitlement. In these circumstances parents may have to pay for their childcare but could also consider other options for help with childcare costs:

  • 2 year olds – Think2 – funding for families not in work, low income or receiving additional government support.

  • 3 and 4 year olds – Universal Hours - families who lose the extra 15 hours that made up 30 hours, will revert back to being eligible for just the universal 15 hours (that all 3 and 4 year olds are entitled to).

  • Parents of children aged 9 month to 2 year olds will lose all funded hours.
    • other help with childcare costs can be viewed at Best Start in Life (formerly Childcare Choices).

Parents may not be able to access funded hour if already in their grace period where

  • a Parent falls into their grace period before the child starts their place/ their funded hours.
  • a Parent falls into their grace period whilst their child is attending a Provider for their entitlement, and the parent then moves the child to a different provider whilst in their grace period.

These scenarios are also applicable when a Provider submits a claim for a child who was eligible at the time, but the child entered the grace period later and before starting their funded hours.

Parents who re-apply to Childcare Choices after the grace period will be able to access the Working Parent Entitlements from the term after a re-application has been made.

In exceptional circumstances, The Council has the discretion to extend the “grace period” for a short time, i.e.

  • if the provider closes or receives an Ofsted inspection judgement of inadequate and the local authority withdraws funding - for state funded schools inspected after 2 September 2024 this means an Ofsted inspection judgement of requiring significant improvement or special measures
  • the parent(s) moves home as a result of domestic abuse or any other emergency situation.

In these cases parents may have to supply some form of proof.

 

Answer:

Parents must speak to their childcare provider about how the funded places can be taken at the provision.

Funded hours can differ from each provider, from the times in the day and week they are open. Providers can choose to offer funding across:

  • 38 weeks of the year ( referred to as ‘term time only’ funded hours) - often algined to the school term time dates but it does not have to be, or as
    • some childcare provision run by pre-schools or schools/ academies are only open for 38 weeks.

  • 'Stretch' - this is funding across more weeks of the years but for fewer hours per week.
    • this is often supplued by private day nurseries or childminders open all year.
    • Example - stretch funding supplied over 48 weeks of the year could equate to funded hours of 23 hours, 45 minutes per week – it is the same amount of funded hours across the whole year.

Some providers may do both depending on a families needs, but how a childcare provider offers funded hours is at their discretion. Parents should ask  their childcare provider and if flexible options are available but government guidance states parents may not get the hours in a patterm or at a time they want.

Providers who offer ‘stretched’ funding can do so over any number of weeks (over 38), many will offer funding across 48 weeks, some could be 50 weeks or 51 weeks.

Changing childcare provider - Providers and parents should be aware there could be occasion when a child has been accessing their full entitlement as stretched in summer and change to the 38 weeks offer in autumn term, (often if child has more to a different childcare provider). Due to the maximum number of funded hours that could be used some children might be left with fewer funded hours in spring term (January to March) because of accessing more funded hours than normal in the previous (two) summer and autumn terms. Parents need be aware of how many hours they have accessed in a term by asking their childcare provider in a term, as a child cannot access more funded hours in a year than their maximum entitlement allows.

Below are the standard parameters providers can offer funded places:

• No more than a maximum of 10 funded hours used in a day.
• No minimum requirement of funded hours need to be used.
• Between the hours of 6.00am to 8.00pm - Monday to Friday.
• At weekends.
• For parents accessing the 15 hour entitlements, this can be offered over no less than across 2 days.
• For the full 30 hours entitlement could be offered over no less than across 3 days.

Answer:

Parents can choose that their child attends for just the funded hours, but only on the days and hours that are supplied by the provider and depending on their availability.

There should be no madatory requirement by providers for parent to purchase additional hours, food, nappies, trips, clothing or any other consumable or service just to gain access to funded hours. 

Parents are under no obligation to use up all the funded hours. It is at the parent’s discretion how many hours/ days they wish their child to attend within the provider’s offer.

Providers can only claim for hours parent have agreed for a child to attend as outlined in a completed parent declaration and privacy notice that should be presented to parents to review and sign as part of the agreement to claim funded hours.

Answer:

Yes, providers can charge parents a refundable deposit to secure a child’s funded place.

Providers should consider whether a charge should be applied to a family claiming 2 year funding (Think2), but providers must reimburse a deposit by the end of the same term (or off-set against paid for elements) a child starts a Think2 funded placement.

A provider may choose to keep a deposit if  child did not start the place for the funded hours only. When parents are paying for extra hours or services it is possible a registration fee could be off-set against those paid for elements.

Providers should not make a registration fee mandatory for parent to access funded hours.

 

Answer:

Funded hours cover the amount of hours a child attends as part of their funded entitlements.

Funded hours does not cover the cost of:

  • meals
  • nappies
  • additional hours
  • additional activities, such as trips
  • other consumables and charges

So, if children access these additional services parents will be asked and should expect to pay for these items. However,  it must not be made mandatory condition by a provider for parents to purchase extra services to gain access to funded hours.

Where parents do access, meals, consumables, activities parents should speak to their childcare provider about alternative or cheaper options (i.e. child taking a packed lunch) or voluntary payments.

It should also not be made a mandatory conditions that parents pay for but not limited to, non-itemised enrichment charges, sustainability charges, business continuity charges, additional charges, enhanced ratios, hourly rates, or any other supplementary charges on top of the funded hours (unless parents agree to "voluntary" pay for these)

Costs are determined by the chilcare provider and should in line with their normal charging policy.

Tops ups

Government guidance that childcare providers cannot charge top ups on the funded hours, this is the difference between the funding the provider receives from a local authority and what they normally charge.

Answer:

Yes, parents can split funded hours between multiple providers, but no more than at two sites in one day.

Funding can be split between any type of provider. Parents will need to decide how many hours their child attends for at each site as providers must agree to this and this should confirmed on the parent declaration form and privacy notice.

Answer:

Yes, for the funded hours it is a legal requirement that all families must sign the Parental Declaration and Privacy Notice that will be provided to you by your childcare provider. On this form you will identify key aspects of you own personal information as well as your child’s. You will also need to advise how many hours you wish that childcare provider to claim for your child.

In the case of the child being eligible for 30 hours and a split arrangement is in place to access the funded hours at more than one provider, the parent must identify which provider will claim the universal 15 hours for 3 and 4 year olds  and think2 - for 2 year recieving additional support.

Children must attend for the agreed amount of funded hours parent have agreed for their childcate provider/s  to claim, or the funded hours could be reduced or be removed if absence is a regular occurrence.

Find out the benefits of good attendance by children at their childcare provider.

 

Answer:

If you wish to change setting part way through a term, you can do so.  The funding will follow your child to their new provider.  It is the responsibility of the provider your child is leaving to inform the local authority that you child has left/is leaving - otherwise they would be 'over-claiming'. The new provider can then claim from when your child starts with them as funding will always follow the child.

However, parents should also check the notice period as outlined in any contract signed with the childcare providers. Breaches of notice periods are a private matter between parent and providers and funded hours cannot be used cover any breaches.

Parents who change from a stretched offer ( in summer ) to a 38 week / term offer (in autumn) and are accessing the maximum entitlement, should be aware that their annual entitlement could end sooner than normal in the third term of the year. This is because of more funded hours are used in summer term as a stretched offer compared to a 38 week/ term time offer.

 

Answer:

Yes, parent can claim Tax Credits and Tax Free Childcare on hours, services and consumables they have have to pay for outside of the the funded hours. Parents can find more information and how to apply on the government website Best Start in Life.  

Tax Free Childcare is a good option for working parents as the money parents put into the scheme the government will top up 20% to go towards childcare costs.

 

Answer:

Providers sign an agreement with their local authority, that outlines  what providers must advise parents from the outset on how  funded hours are supplied, this shoud inlclude the days and times parents can expect to receive funded hours.

Providers must also inform parents clearly about any additional charges parents will incur on non-funded hours, meals, consumables and extra services when parent decide to access them. There should be no hidden charges.

Where applicable, providers when asked by parents, should supply information on the charges that are voluntary (or opt in) for parents, or where there might other or cheaper alternatives i.e. children taking a packed lunched.

By January 2026, all childcare providers must have their charges readily available to parents, preferably on their website.

Answer:

Providers must ensure invoices and receipts are be itemised and should cover a breakdown by unit and costs:

  • the funded hours received in the funding period
  • additional private paid hours
  • food charges
  • non-food consumables charges
  • activities / extra services

This so parents can clearly identify they are receiving their child’s funded hours as initially agreed with the provider.

The provider must inform parents of the monetary value of funded hours at their provision. Funded hours should not be shown as a value of £0

 

Answer:

Parents should speak to their provider in the first instance as in most cases such issues can be cleared up easily. Parents should request a clear breakdown of:

  • days and hours the funded hours are supplied to your child.
  • the charges you pay for i.e. non funded hours, meal, trips.
  • a monetary total of charges against what you have saved on funded places.
  • confirm if funded hours are supplied as 38 weeks / term time or as a stretch offer (across more weeks of the year).

Parents should also refer to or ask for a copy of the contract supplied by the childcare provider when agreeing to the funded hours.

Answer:

Most childcare providers in Staffordshire with an inspection have a rating Outstanding or Good (over 90%), so issues with quality are very rare indeed.

However and unfortunately, providers can receive ratings below 'Good' which can impact the early education funding a setting can access.

The Department for Education are clear that children should receive funded places in the best quality provision.

The Department for Education advise local authorities that they should secure alternative provision and withdraw funding from a provider, as soon as is practicable. Restrictions could be put be in place on provider that receive Ofsted inspection ratings of 'Inadequate' or 'Requires Improvement' (for 2 year olds receiiving support).

In line with government guidance that local authorities: 

When withdrawing funding, local authorities should take into account the continuity of care for children who are already receiving their free hours at a provider 

This means that children already attending a provider for their funded hours will not immediately hav funding withdraw if parents  choose to keep their children at the provider.

This mean the only children restrictions can impact are those who have not yet been claimed for funded hours at the provider i.e. not yet eligible for funding or new starters.

Restrictions normally remain in place until Ofsted re-inspect the provider which they have to do within 6 months of the last inspection. Providers have a right of appeal.

Providers are informed by the council to not only share the information of Ofsted’s inspection report, but they will also be informed to immediately advise parents that could be impacted by funding restrictions.

This does not affect the right of families who become eligible for funded places as they are still entitled to funding they are eligible for. But to access funded hours parents may need to seek alternative childcare provision.

Parents can source childcare on our website, or by contacting the Early Education and Childcare team who will be happy to assist.

Answer:
  • Providers must ensure they have a complaints procedure in place for that they can refer parent. The complaint process should be published and accessible for parents who are not satisfied that their child has received funded hours within the parameters as outlined in the provider agreement and in the Early Education and Childcare Statutory Guidance for Local Authorities.

  • Where a parent is not satisfied that their child has received funded hours properly and has not been able to resolve a dispute with the provider, parents should be signposted to submit a can enquiry to the Early Years Team.

  • All complaints handled by the Early Years Team will be responded to within 28 days of their receipt.

  • If a parent is not satisfied with the way in which their complaint has been dealt with by the Early Years Team they can refer to the Council’s Customer Feedback process.

  • If a parent or provider believes the council has acted unreasonably, they can make a complaint to the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman, but only when the childcare provders and council’s complaints procedure has been completed.
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