Childcare and funded places frequently asked questions

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 period of time when a child can continue to receive the funded hours. Reasons a child may fall out of eligibility could:

• Parents did not reconfirm the code as part of the 3 month reconfirmation - this would be resolved by reconfirming or re-applying to Best Start in Life (HMRC) - or if a Foster Carer by contacting the Early Years Team@ eeac@staffordshire.gov.uk 
•  A parent or foster carer in no longer in employment and no longer meets the eligibility criterion. To continue to receive the funded hours under the Working Parent Entitlement the parent/ carer must seek employment and would need to reconfirm their eligibility with the relevant service as advised above.

If grace period has lapsed and the parent/ carer still does not meet the eligibility, a child will no longer receive funded hours under the Working Parent Entitlement. 

Parents may not be able to access funded hours if they already in their grace period when: 

• a Parent falls into their grace period before the child starts their place/  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 still in their grace period.

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

• if the provider closes or if the local authority terminates its funding arrangements with the provider.
• the parent(s) moves home as a result of domestic abuse or any other emergency situation. In this case the council may need to verify the circumstances.

*Parents who re-apply to Best Start in Life after the grace period has lapsed will be able to access the Working Parent Entitlements from the term after a successful application has been made.

What happens if the grace period expires and eligibility is not reconfirmed?

In these circumstances parents may have to pay for their childcare but could also consider other options for help with childcare costs:

• 3 and 4-year-olds – Universal Hours - families who lose the extra 15 hours that made up 30 hours, will revert to being eligible for just the universal 15 hours (that all 3 and 4-year-olds are entitled to).
• 2-year-olds – some families who meet the criteria by receiving additional government support could be eligible for Think2 – Early Learning for 2-year-olds.
• 9-month to 2-year-olds - Parents of children under for this age group will lose all funded hours. 

Help to pay for any childcare costs such as through Tax Free Childcare can be reviewed at Best Start in Life (formerly Childcare Choices).