Funding
15 hours free childcare
All children are entitled to 15 hours per week of free childcare from the start of the term after their 3rd birthday and for children aged 2 if they meet one of the eligibility criteria.
At St Cuthbert’s Pre-School, the Free Early Education Entitlement (FEEE) allows 15 hours per week of free childcare for eligible 2-year-olds and all 3 & 4-year-olds– for 38 weeks (term-time) of the year (15 hours x 38 weeks of term - time = 570 hours). This entitlement begins the term after your child’s third birthday.
Parents of three and four year olds do not need to apply to claim for the 15 funded hours; but you will need to supply the pre- school with your child’s original birth certificate and you will be asked to complete a form to give consent for the pre-school to claim the funded hours – without this information the pre-school will not be able to claim any hours and you may be charged.
Parents can start claiming for your child's funded place, the period after your child turns 3 (or the period after your child turns 2 if they're eligible). The date you can claim will depend on when your child's birthday is.
| Child’s birthday between: | When you can claim: |
|---|---|
| 1 January to 31 March | From the 1 April following their 3rd birthday, or if eligible, following their 2nd birthday |
| 1 April to 31 August | From the 1 September following their 3rd birthday, or if eligible, following their 2nd birthday |
| 1 September to 31 December | From the 1 January following their 3rd birthday, or if eligible, following their 2nd birthday |
Example:
If a child turns 3 years old on the 15 February, they will become eligible for their funded place from the 1 April.
Funding for 2 Year Olds
Your 2-year-old can get free childcare if you live in England and get one of the following benefits:
- Income Support
- income-based Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA)
- Universal Credit and your household income is £15,400 a year or less after tax, not including benefit payments
- tax credits and your household income is £16,190 a year or less before tax
- the guaranteed element of Pension Credit
- the Working Tax Credit 4-week run on (payment you get when you stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit)
2-year-olds can also get free childcare if they:
- are looked after by a local authority
- have a statement of special educational needs (SEN) or an educational health and care (EHC) plan
- get Disability Living Allowance
- have left care under an adoption order, special guardianship order or a child arrangements order
Non-EEA citizens who cannot claim benefits
Your 2-year-old may get free childcare if you are getting support under the Immigration and Asylum Act and have either:
- claimed asylum in the UK and are waiting for a decision (known as ‘part 6’)
- been refused asylum in the UK (known as ‘section 4’)
A 2-year-old you care for may also get free childcare if your household income is £15,400 a year or less after tax, and you have either:
- leave to remain with ‘no recourse to public funds’ on family or private life grounds
- the right to live in the UK because you’re the main carer of a British citizen (known as a ‘Zambrano Carer’)
Parents / carers of 2-year-olds that meet one of these criteria will need to apply for the 2-year funding code via the Leicestershire Parent Portal.
Child's birthday and applicable claim dates
If your child is eligible, you can start claiming the term after they turn 2. The date you can claim will depend on when their birthday is.
| Child’s birthday between: | When you can claim: |
|---|---|
| 1 January and 31 March | From the 1 April following their 2nd birthday |
| 1 April and 31 August | From the 1 September following their 2nd birthday |
| 1 September and 31 December | From the 1 January following their 2nd birthday |
30 HOURS FEEE ENTITLEMENT:
https://www.gov.uk/30-hours-free-childcare
Working parents may be able to access up to an additional 15 hours per week of funded childcare. If you believe you may qualify for the extended entitlement you should ensure you check your eligibility by visiting https://www.gov.uk/apply-30-hours-free-tax-free-childcare
If you have two or more children at Pre School a 10% discount is given on the older child’s fees.
Also, you can use childcare vouchers to pay towards your fees. We accept childcare vouchers from all recognised voucher providers if paid electronically. Please ask your employer about which childcare voucher scheme they use.
Additional money towards childcare
You may also be able to get additional money towards your childcare through tax-free childcare, universal credit or tax credits. Please visit this website to find out more: https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/using-childcare-schemes-together/
Tax-Free Childcare Information: https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/how-to-use-tax-free-childcare/
Tax Credit Information: https://www.gov.uk/help-with-childcare-costs/tax-credits
Universal Credit Information: https://www.gov.uk/help-with-childcare-costs/universal-credit
