Nursery education funding - early years free entitlement

Nursery education funding is an entitlement to 15 hours of free care and education for 38 weeks of the year for all 3 and 4 year olds.

When can I get a free place?

Three year olds can get funding the term after their third birthday and remain eligible until they start mainstream school, up to a maximum of 6 terms. The table below shows when children can receive the free entitlement. 

What free hours can my child get?

Children can get 15 hours of free early years care and education a week for 38 weeks a year.

Where can my child get the free hours?

Your child can get the free hours at a childcare provider who is registered with Ofsted and has agreed to participate in the offer. Childcare providers include day nurseries, pre-schools, maintained nursery classes and accredited childminders. You should check with your provider to see whether or not they are participating in the Free Entitlement. This information is also included on the Day Nursery and Pre-school lists.

How do I apply for a free place?

Your child will automatically become eligible for the free hours the term after their third birthday. You will need to discuss with your provider how your child can get their free hours at the setting. You will need to provide proof of your child’s age (usually via a birth certificate) and sign a parental declaration form.

Can I access the free hours with a provider at any time I choose?

Parents may not always be able to get their full hours at the times they want, at the provider of their choice. Providers should give details of their free offer and you should talk to the provider when making arrangements for your child to attend the setting.

Do I have to take my free hours over 5 days?

You need to talk with your provider about this, but there are restrictions on how this can be taken:-

• Minimum of 2½ and a maximum of 10 hours in any one day
• Maximum of 12½ hours in any 2 days
• Full Free entitlement of 15 hours over a minimum of 3 days

Any other combination over more than 3 days is fine so long as it is available with the provider you choose.

Can I be charged any fee for my child’s free hours?

The free hours must be provided completely free at the point of delivery, with no conditions, and parents cannot be charged any kind of “top up” fee (the difference between what a provider would normally charge and the funding they receive from the local authority to deliver the free hours) in relation to any free hours. Parents can be charged for any time they use outside of the specified free hours. Payment for these hours cannot however be made a condition of getting the free hours.

What if I think that “top up” fees are being charged?

If you believe that your child is not receiving their full free hours and a top up fee is being charged, you first need to contact your provider to talk about it. If you are still worried please contact BromleyFamilies.info and we will pass your details together with information showing why you are worried (i.e. invoice or other written document) to a member of staff to investigate.

Can providers charge what they like for any additional time after the funded hours?

The rates which providers charge for any extra hours is up to them. However, you should get a bill which is clear and which enables you to see and understand what hours they got free and what is additional hours or services.

Will receiving the free hours affect my working tax credits or the childcare element of working tax credit?

Although it does not affect working tax credit or the childcare element of working tax credit, you should make sure you only claim for childcare costs for the time that your child attends over and above the free hours.