Funded childcare places

There has been a temporary relaxation around the usual 30 hours rules to support families with childcare during the current pandemic. Please take a read of the latest Government advice to see if it applies to you.

Is there any additional support available for parents who were meeting eligibility criteria for 30 hours free childcare and/or tax-free childcare before the Coronavirus outbreak but are no longer working or working reduced hours?

Yes. If you are temporarily not meeting the minimum income requirement for 30 hours free childcare and/or tax-free childcare as a direct consequence of the Coronavirus outbreak and would normally meet the threshold for these schemes, you will be treated as eligible.

You should continue to apply or reconfirm if you have a childcare account already.

Do parents need to provide any proof to access 30 hours free childcare or tax-free childcare that they’ve been adversely affected by the Coronavirus outbreak and so can still apply?

You should continue to apply or reconfirm if you have a childcare account already. You will be contacted if further evidence is required.

Can I still get 30 hours if I or my partner have earned over the maximum threshold because we’ve had to work longer hours due to the Coronavirus outbreak?

Subject to parliamentary approval of a temporary amendment to the 30 hours free childcare regulations, we intend to allow critical workers who exceed the maximum income threshold (£100k per year), due to increased hours as a direct result of the Coronavirus outbreak, to remain eligible for 30 hours for the current tax year.

I am not a critical worker and my child isn’t vulnerable. Do I still need to apply or reconfirm for the 30 hours entitlement if I’m not currently accessing a place?

We encourage all eligible parents to continue to apply for and reconfirm, their 30 hours entitlement, even when childcare settings remain closed to all but vulnerable children and children of critical workers. This will ensure a smooth transition back into childcare when settings fully reopen.

Is there any flexibility for parents who have missed the deadline for 30 hours codes?

We have asked local authorities and childcare providers who are approached by the parents of vulnerable children, or critical workers who have missed the 31 March 2020 deadline, to accept their codes, having first checked the child’s date of birth to ensure summer term eligibility. To be eligible for a summer term 30 hours place the child must have turned 3 before 1 April 2020.

At this time, only the children of critical workers and children who are vulnerable, are able to access childcare. A list of children prioritised for education provision can be found in guidance on critical workers who can access schools or educational settings. We have asked all early years settings to prepare for wider opening from 1 June 2020 and will update the guidance on 30 hours in due course.

Children in foster care who are aged 3 or 4 years old are now be able to receive an additional 15 hours per week over 38 weeks of childcare - a total of 1,140 hours funded childcare per year, if the following criteria are met:

• Accessing the extended hours is consistent with the child’s care plan; and 
• Where these is a single foster parent family, the foster parent is engaging in paid work outside their role as a foster parent; or 
• Where there are two foster parents in the same fostering household, both are engaging in paid work outside their role as a foster parent.

Foster parents can claim 30 hours the term after their foster child turns three and they have received an eligibility code from the local authority. 

Three- and four-year-olds can start in a 30 hours place from the 1 September, 1 January or 1 April. Foster parents can apply up to 16 weeks before their foster child turns three. 

Foster parents will need to reconfirm every 3 months with their social worker, that they are still working outside of their role as a foster parent.

In the first instance foster parents should contact their social care worker to find out more and to apply.

Quality Childcare helps children to:

• become more confident 
• learn through play and have fun
• learn new words and extend their vocabulary
• experience new activities and learn new skills
• problem solve and test out their ideas
• learn independence and get ready for school.

Finding a Childcare Provider

You can choose from:

• Pre-schools and Playgroups (sessional care)
• Childminders (at home)
• Day nurseries (part-time and full time care)

Childcare providers are registered with Ofsted who gives them one of four quality grades:

• Outstanding
• Good
• Requires improvement
• Inadequate

How do I choose?

Things to consider when choosing quality childcare:

• Can children be active and play freely?
• Are activities fun and inviting?
• Do children look happy and involved in their learning ?
• Are the adults playing with the children?
• Do you think your child would be safe, well cared for and happy here?
• Is the Ofsted report available to view?

What might I need to find out?

You will need to feel happy and confident about your child’s education and care. It is good to ask questions. Here are some ideas:

• Who will be caring for my child?
• How do I know my child will be safe?
• How will they know what my child wants/needs?
• How do I find out about my child’s day?
• What happens if my child doesn’t settle or is ill or has an accident?
• What do I pay for?

Did you know?

Your local children’s centre can help you in finding an early years provision.

Find a childcare provider in Leicestershire

Family Information Directory (FID)