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Free Early Education Entitlement

Funding for 2, 3 and 4 year olds

The Free Early Education Entitlement is a central government scheme funded through local authorities. The scheme provides up to 15 or 30 hours per week of free childcare for children aged 2, 3 or 4 years old (subject to eligibility criteria) until they reach compulsory school age.

Early education benefits children’s social, physical and mental development and helps them prepare for school. Evidence shows that regular and good quality early education has lasting benefits for all children.

There are three entitlements available to children aged 2, 3 and 4 years old in Southwark.

Universal free early education entitlement for 3 and 4 year olds

Every child aged 3 and 4 years old is entitled to receive a maximum of 15 hours of free early education per week, until they reach compulsory school age (the term following their 5th birthday). Parents don't need to apply for this entitlement and there's no eligibility criteria. You can find further information about this entitlement.

Two year old free early education entitlement

Some two year old, who may not otherwise benefit from early education at this age, are entitled to receive a maximum of 15 hours of free early education per week until the term after their third birthday. Parents will need to meet specific eligibility criteria to qualify. You can find further information about this entitlement.

Free early education extended entitlement for 3 and 4 year olds

From September 2017, the government increased the universal free entitlement for children aged 3 and 4 years old to 30 hours per week for working families. Parents will need to meet specific eligibility criteria to qualify for this entitlement. 

This extended entitlement will provide an additional 15 hours per week on top of the universal entitlement of 15 hours per week for all 3 and 4 year olds. This new scheme is also being referred to as the 'additional 15 hours' or '30 hours free childcare'. You can find further information about this entitlement.

Early Years Pupil Premium (EYPP)

Nurseries, preschools and childminders can claim extra funding called Early Years Pupil Premium (EYPP) of up to £300 per year per child, to support eligible children's learning and development.

Children in their care could be eligible for this additional funding if they are in receipt of the 3&4 year old universal 15 hours free early education entitlement; and their parents/carers have a household income below £16,190 and are claiming one of the following benefits:

  • Income Support
  • Income based Job Seekers Allowance
  • Child Tax Credit (provided you are not also entitled to Working Tax Credit and with a family gross income of less than £16,190)
  • National Asylum Seekers Support
  • Guarantee Element of State Pension Credit
  • Employments and Support Allowance - Income Related only
  • Universal Credit
  • Working Tax Credit (with a family income of less than £16,190 as assessed by HM Revenue & Customs)

Or, the child:

  • Has been in local authority care for 1 day or more in England and Wales
  • Has been adopted from care in England or Wales
  • Has left care under a special guardianship order, child arrangement order or residence order in England or Wales
  • Is currently being looked after by a local authority in England or Wales

The extra funding is paid directly to the childcare provider to help them raise the quality of children’s early education in their setting. The childcare provider will plan the most effective way of using the money to promote children’s learning experience and will have to demonstrate that they have used the funding effectively when they are inspected by Ofsted.

 For example they could:

  • buy new equipment and resources
  • employ extra staff
  • invest in extra training for staff
  • pooling the funding with other settings to have greater impact
  • buy in the services of outside professionals

 

Tax Free Childcare:

  • Tax-free Childcare is a government scheme that pays 20% of childcare costs up to a maximum of £2000 each year. The scheme is open to all parents of children under 12 (or under 17 if disabled).

To be eligible for the Tax-free Childcare Scheme, the parent must be working (and if they have a partner, they must work too), and not receiving any support through Tax Credits or  Universal Credit. 

Further information about Tax Free Childcare Tax-Free Childcare - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Tax Free Childcare - Top things Childcare Providers Should know

Tax Free Childcare - Top things Parents should know

Resources:

Department for Education Early Education and Childcare Statutory Guidance: Early education and childcare - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Free Early Education Entitlement Information - FEEE- Childcare Booklet (pdf, 601kb)

Early Years Pupil Premium FAQs - EYPP FAQs 

Early Years Pupil Premium - EYPP- Practical Tips on allocating EYPP

Childcare information for Parents:

Childcare Choices - Free eligibility form for parents to check if they are eligible for any funded places, including Tax Free Childcare.

Contact for more information:

General enquiries: earlylearninginfo@southwark.gov.uk

Application enquiries: feeeadmin@southwark.gov.uk