What are Grace Periods?
Grace periods are an extended period of funding families could receive if they fall out of eligibility for the Working Parent Entitlements.
This extended period of funding gives parents a short amount of time to resolve any issue that has meant the family is no longer eligible for the Working Parent Entitlement. Reasons a family could fall out of eligibility are:
- A parent has not completed the 3 month reconfirmation - to resolve this a parent should be signposted to re-apply with Best Start in Life (HMRC), or if a Foster parent to contact our Early Years Team: eeac@staffordshire.gov.uk
- A parent/ carer no longer meet the eligibility criterion, such as they are no longer in employment. A parent may need to seek employment to become eligible again for the Working Parent Entitlement and re-apply.
The table below outlines the timeline parameters of grace periods based on when a parent is advised by Best Start in Life (HMRC) they have fallen out of eligibility (1st column) and when the grace period of extended funding will end (2nd column) if eligibility has not been re-confirmed.
| Date Parent receives ineligible decision | Grace period end date |
|---|---|
| 1 January – 10 February | 31 March |
| 11 February – 31 March | 31 August |
| 1 April – 26 May | 31 August |
| 27 May – 31 August | 31 December |
| 1 September – 21 October | 31 December |
| 22 October – 31 December | 31 March |
What happens if the grace period expires and eligibility is not reconfirmed?
3 and 4-year-olds: the child will still be able to access the Universal Entitlement - equivalent of 15 hours per week over 38 weeks, or as 570 hours across the whole year (stretch), depending on how the provider offer funded hours.
2-year-olds: Some families of 2-year-olds receiving additional government support could be eligible for Early Learning for 2-year-olds.
9 months to 2 years accessing the Working Parent Entitlements but who fall out of eligibility, will mean parents will not have access to any funded entitlements.
If a child accesses hours over and above their funded entitlement or the family are not eligible for funded hours, parents will be expected to pay for childcare.
*Parents who successfully 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 an application has been made.
Parents scan be signposted to Best Start for Life to review if they could be eligible for any other support such as Tax Free Childcare that can help towards costs of childcare.
