Parents

Choosing the right childcare and Free Early Years Provision (for 3 & 4 year olds) for your child is an important decision. Childcare can be offered by private, independent and voluntary providers as well as childminders and schools. We can help you make the right choice.

Flexible free entitlement (previously known as Early  Education/Free Early Years Provision)

Please note that where 'term' is referred to in this section, it means funding term, dates as described in the table below.
All three and four year old children are eligible to their Flexible Free Entitlement (previously known as early education) funding at the start of the funding term following their 3rd birthday.

The entitlement for an eligible 3 or 4 year old child may be taken over a minimum of 38 weeks at a maximum of 15 hours per week, or you may take a stretched offer of a maximum of 11 hours per week over 51 weeks.  You may access the entitlement from one but not more than two providers and each provider must offer the entitlement over the same amount of weeks, you must not mix the offers.  If your child is attending a maintained nursery school, reception or nursery class within a school for 15 hours this is your total free entitlement, you must not make a claim from another provider.  If your child is attending at a school for less than 15 hours, the balance may be taken at a second provider.

Once you have decided on your provider and agreed the hours your child will attend, the provider will ask you to complete a Parent Declaration Form and a Parent Provider Agreement. The Parent Declaration needs to be completed as it records your child’s eligibility to a free place.  The Parent Provider Agreement sets out the days and hours you have agreed your child will be attending.  Buckinghamshire County Council will then pay your provider for the hours your child attends. It is not recommended to move your child during the academic term as it is in a child’s best interest to be settled with a provider and is very unlikely funding will transfer to a new provider before the start of the next term.  If it is an exceptional circumstance such as moving house then funding may be transferred with agreement from Buckinghamshire County Council. If you do wish to move your child then you should do this before the start of term and give your current provider notice of your intention as soon as you can.

Your child may access the free entitlement at more than one, but no more than two providers.  Providing your child’s hours don’t exceed 15 hours they will be fully funded. You will need to ensure that both providers are aware that your child is also attending elsewhere. Your child can also attend providers outside the county and still receive funding.

Should your child attend for more than 15 hours a week, you will be required to pay the provider for the additional childcare hours. Your provider must notify you at the beginning of the term if your requirements exceed the funding limit.

You may be eligible to claim Working Tax Credit or Child Tax Credit. Call 0845 3003900 lines open between 8am - 8pm, 7 days a week to find out.

Children with Special Educational Needs (SEN) or a Disability

The Equality Act 2010 places a duty on all providers to:

• Make reasonable adjustments for disabled children
• Not treat a disabled child less favourably

The Special Educational Need (SEN) Code of Practice 2001 has the following fundamental principles that providers in receipt of Government Early Education Funding must have regard to:

• A child with special educational needs should have their needs met
• The special educational needs of children will normally be met in mainstream schools or settings
• The views of the child should be sought and taken into account
• Parents should have a vital role to play in supporting their child's education
• Children with special educational needs should be offered full access to a broad, balanced and relevant education, including an appropriate curriculum for the Foundation Stage and the National Curriculum

(SEN Code of Practice 2001)

All settings providing free part-time early education must have an Equality of Opportunities Policy and a Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator (SENCO). The SENCO will be able to discuss with you how the setting plans to meet your child's needs.