Early Years Entitlement for 3 and 4 Year Olds
All children are entitled to receive 15 hours of free Early Years Education from the funding period after their third birthday. Their eligibility continues until the end of the funding period in which they celebrate their fifth birthday.
| A Child born on or between | Will become eligible for a free place from |
|---|---|
| 1st April and 31st August | 1st September (Autumn School Term) |
| 1st September and 31st December | 1st January (Spring School Term) |
| 1st January and 31st March | 1st April (Summer School Term) |
What is a free place?
From September 2010, all eligible children are entitled to 570 hours of free Early Years provision per year. Providers will deliver a maximum of 15 hours per week over 38 weeks per year unless otherwise agreed.
From September 2010, providers will offer the Early Years Entitlement with greater flexibility.
What does “Flexibility” mean?
Providers are allowed to offer a minimum of 2.5 hours and a maximum of 6 hours of free early years provision a day, between the hours of 8am and 6pm. This can be taken in its own right or as part of a larger package of care. Each provider will deliver their own model of flexibility within these times.
The Birth to Five Service EYE Team provides advice and support to parents, carers and childcare providers to ensure the entitlements are delivered effectively in Lincolnshire, and administer the funding to providers.
Any free sessions covering a lunch period (e.g. 9am-3pm) will include the lunch time as part of the free place. A provider can charge for supplying a hot lunch to a child during this session. However, parents/carers will be offered the option of providing a packed lunch for their child to eliminate this cost.
Please note – the length and times of the free sessions will be determined by the Early Years provider.
Early Years providers will charge parents/carers at their own rate for hours accessed outside of the free sessions.
Does my child have to take the full amount of Early Years Entitlement?
Your child may access up to 15 hours a week for 38 weeks per year. If you don’t want your child to attend for the full 15 hours, they can access fewer hours. However it is important to remember that children benefit from accessing the maximum number of hours per week.
Can the hours be split between different providers?
Children can access funding with up to two different providers but are still only entitled to 15 hours worth of free Early Years Entitlement per week in total. You will need to make clear to each provider how many hours you are accessing with each of them.
Can I purchase additional hours?
If your Early Years provider is able to offer you extra hours you can purchase these directly from them. You will enter into a contract with them agreeing the cost and times of these additional hours. Different providers will be able to offer you different options.
Where can I enrol my child for these funded hours?
A variety of Ofsted-registered childcare providers are authorised by the Local Authority to offer funded Early Years provision. These include:
- Pre-schools and Play groups
- Day Nurseries
- Independent Schools
- Nursery Schools
- Schools with Nursery Classes.
Childminders in Lincolnshire are not currently able to offer Early Education Entitlement.
I have a child who qualifies by age for funded hours. What should I do to access this funding?
You must contact your selected provider who will enrol your child for the number of funded hours you require. Your provider will include your child on their funding claim forms. The County Council will then pay your provider direct. Your only requirement is to sign a form that your provider will give you. This form merely confirms the number of funded hours that you are taking up.
How do I find a childcare provider that offers Early Years Entitlement?
If you are already using an Early Years childcare provider, they will be able to help you and will have a form you will need to complete. If you already know of somewhere where you would like your child to attend, you can check with them direct about accessing Early Years Entitlement and whether they have vacancies. Details of all providers offering the Early Years Entitlement are available from the Family Information Service.
