These frequently asked questions will advise providers on how they can offer early education funded (EEF) places. Providers should also refer to the current Provider Agreement 2025 and Addendum.
Parent invoices should include (if taken) itemisation of:
The DFE guidance states: 'This is to allow parents to see that they have received their child’s "free" entitlement hours completely free of charge and understand that any fees paid are for additional hours or optional services. Invoices and receipts should include the provider’s full details so that they can be identified as coming from a specific provider'.
Ideally, chargeable items should be set out as a unit cost, quantity and total.
So parents can see that they have received their funded hours as agreed (as per guidance), it is advisable that invoices outline the total number of funded hours supplied to the child and either show the value (deduction /saving) related to the funded hours, or by showing the cost of childcare before funded hours are deducted in the invoice period. Providers must not just put ‘0’ hours for funded hours, this is not transparent to what parents have received.
Providers should discuss with their vendors for invoice software to look into this so it aligns with the government requirements regarding funded places.
