Early Years Free Entitlement (EYFE)
Every child is entitled to the Universal 15 hours of free childcare per week, over 38 weeks of the year, this is a maximum of 570 hours in a funding year. At which time we require to see your child’s birth certificate. Without this evidence of your child’s eligibility the pre-school will be unable to claim on your behalf.
A child’s funding year starts the term after their 3rd Birthday in line with the table below:
Child First Becomes Eligible for Funding |
Children Born in Period |
Terms Included in the Funding Year |
September (Autumn Term) |
1st April to 31st August |
Autumn, Spring and Summer |
January (Spring Term) |
1st September to 31st December |
Spring, Summer and Autumn |
April (Summer Term) |
1st January to 31st March |
Summer, Autumn and Spring. |
Example – If your child attends a total of 16 hours across a week, the first 15 hours will automatically be claimed for those children in receipt of the universal entitlement/Free for 2 placements. The remaining 1 hour will be charged at £6 per hour.
For the Academic Year 2020-2021 the Date of Birth (D.O.B) range is as follows for EYFE
DOB Range
Term |
3 Year Olds |
4 Year Olds |
Whole DOB Range |
---|---|---|---|
Autumn 22 |
01/09/18 to 31/08/19 |
01/09/17 to 31/08/18 |
01/09/17 to 31/08/19 |
Spring 23 |
01/01/19 to 31/12/19 |
01/01/18 to 31/12/18 |
01/01/18 to 31/12/19 |
Summer 23 |
01/04/19 to 31/03/20 |
01/04/18 to 31/03/19 |
01/04/18 to 31/03/20 |
Autumn 23 |
01/09/19 to 31/08/20 |
01/09/18 to 31/08/19 |
01/09/18 to 31/08/20 |
Extended Entitlement (30 Hours)
Eligibility Criteria- “Parents of 3 & 4-year olds will need to meet the following criteria in order to be eligible for 30 hours of free childcare:”
Your eligibility depends on:
You can get 30 hours free childcare at the same time as claiming Universal Credit, tax credits, childcare vouchers or Tax-Free Childcare.
You can usually get 30 hours free childcare if you (and your partner, if you have one) are:
If you’re on adoption leave for a child aged 3 to 4 years old, you must return to work within 31 days of the date you first apply for 30 hours free childcare for that child.
You may still be eligible for 30 hours free childcare if you’re temporarily working less and either:
You may still be eligible if your partner is working, and you get Incapacity Benefit, Severe Disablement Allowance, Carer’s Allowance or contribution-based Employment and Support Allowance.
You can apply if you’re starting or re-starting work within the next 31 days.
You’ll need to expect to earn a certain amount over the next 3 months. This is at least the National Minimum Wage or Living Wage for 16 hours a week on average.
For example, over the next 3 months you expect to earn at least £1,853.28 - the National Living Wage for people over 23.
If you have a partner, they’ll need to expect to earn at least this much too.
If you or your partner are temporarily earning less than this amount because of coronavirus, you may still be eligible. You must be furloughed through the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme or claiming a Self Employment Income Support Scheme grant to qualify.
If you’re self-employed and do not expect to make enough profit in the next 3 months, you can use an average of how much you expect to make over the current tax year.
This earnings limit does not apply if you’re self-employed and started your business less than 12 months ago.
If you or your partner have an expected ‘adjusted net income’ over £100,000 in the current tax year you will not be eligible. This includes any bonuses you expect to get.
Please see further information at www.childcarechoices.gov.uk
If you are claiming the extended hours for your child, this can be completed through the online platform “childcare choices” where you will need to set-up a government gateway account. The parents have the responsibility for claiming, sharing eligibility codes and renewing in the allotted timeframes prior to the Grace period finishing. Please note that any child in their “Grace Period” when beginning a claim will be unable to. If for any reason the additional hours are removed from a parent where circumstances change the pre-school will offer a 15-hour pattern only.
Free Entitlement Important Information
Free for Two (FF2) Places: -
Children who qualify for “Free for Two” are entitled to 15 hours of free childcare per week, over 38 weeks of the year, this is a maximum of 570 hours in a funding year. The 15 hours can be claimed across one or more providers i.e. childminders.
Eligibility Criteria
In July, the government permanently extended eligibility for the free early education entitlement for the most disadvantaged two-year-old children whose parent(s) meet the following conditions:
a.That they are excluded from claiming public funds as a consequence of their immigration status, or their lack of immigration
status.
and
b.They are in receipt of support under section 17 of the Children Act 1989.
Eligible children can start claiming after they turn two, depending on when their birthday is.
A child born between: |
Can access a FF2 place from: |
1st April – 31st August (inclusive) |
The start of term 1 following their second birthday (after the summer holidays) |
1st September – 31st December (inclusive) |
The start of term 3 following their second birthday (after Christmas/New Year) |
1st January – 31st March (inclusive) |
The start of term 5 following their second birthday (after April holiday) |
There is a rolling programme for 2 year olds & eligible children can start in a FF2 place at any point during the term, in accordance with the eligibility confirmed start date.
Pattern of Delivery
Our Free Early Education places are available to use at any session during operating hours. However, having entitlement to a FEE place does not guarantee a space, this will purely come down to available spaces.
More information about Free for Two can be provided to you and claims are completed either online, or directly through the pre-school.
www.gov.uk/30-hours-free-childcare
Please follow the link above for further information on claiming up to 30 hours FREE childcare with us. Please note that we currently only operate for 25 hours per week, entitlement hours however can be used with more than one provider.