Children are eligable for Nursery Education Funding from the begining of the term commencing after their third birthday. Children are eligable to 570 hours of funding on a rolling year, the grant is calculated over a 38 week period but as we are open 50 weeks of the year we spread it across this period which means eligable children are entitled to 11 hours per week. 

Please see table below for costings.

*These pricese are reviewed annually every September

What will my child receive?

Providers offer early education which is inspected for quality by Ofsted. The providers are required to deliver a play-based curriculum called the Early Years Foundation Stage, which continues through the reception year at school.

Will providers share information with the school my child attends?

As your child moves into school, providers are required to share information about their learning and development. This information will be used by the teacher to provide learning opportunities that meet your child’s needs and help them to settle into school.

Do providers have to offer every option?

Providers do not have to offer every delivery option and can offer more flexible options.

Can I request a different option from my provider?

You can, but providers are not expected to agree to the flexible requests from every individual parent.

Does the availability of a provider affect the funding?

If your provider is open for less than 38 weeks, the total number of weeks paid will be reduced to match the total number of weeks they are open. If your provider is open for more than 38 weeks, they may allow you to stretch the full entitlement of hours over more than 38 weeks. If you stretch your child’s entitlement the number of hours you can claim each week will be less than 15 hours. We add up the number of funded hours that your child claims in each funding period to ensure that this does not exceed the 570 hour maximum entitlement in any 12 month period.

How do I find a childcare provider?

There are about 100 private or voluntary-run providers, over 70 accredited childminders and eight nursery classes attached to schools where your child can access their free entitlement. For more information visit the family information service website. Contact the individual provider yourself to check availability and what they are able to offer.

When is a child eligible for a free place?

Children become eligible for the entitlement at the start of the funding period after their third birthday. They are eligible for up to two years before they reach compulsory school age, which is the school term after their fifth birthday. These dates are set by the Department for Education.

What dates does the funding cover?

The funding dates are set nationally by the Department for Education.

• summer: 1 April – 31 August
• autumn: 1 September – 31 December
• spring: 1 January – 31 March.

Can my child attend more than one provider?

Yes, your childs entitlement can be split between two different providers but only if they both use the same pattern of weeks per year. You must inform your provider if your child attends more than one early education provider and complete a parent declaration form for each provider. You have to specify on both forms how many hours of funding you want to claim at each provider.

Can I use a provider outside the boundaries of North Somerset?

Yes, you can but you must make your claim for your child’s attendance at your chosen provider in the other authority. The provider will also require a similar claim form to be filled out and signed.

What happens if my child switches providers in the middle of a funding period?

We fund the childcare provider that your child is attending during head-count week for the number of hours that your child is attending. This provider receives the funding for your child for the whole funding period. If you change providers during the funding period then your new provider will make a claim on your behalf. We will reclaim back funding from a provider when a child leaves before they have received all their funded hours.

Is there any flexibility for children with special education needs?

We recognise that some children with special educational needs may require additional support during their early education. Please contact the special education needs co-ordinator at the provision your child attends for more information.

How do I claim the entitlement?

When you find your provider they will give you a children’s information form to complete and return with a copy of your child’s birth certificate or passport. This only needs to be completed once for any child attending a provider. The provider will make the claim on your behalf three times a year, but you will need to complete and sign a parent declaration form for the hours you want to claim during head-count week. You will be given this form by your provider.

What happens when my child starts school on a part-time basis and I need them to continue at nursery as well?

When your child starts school, even if it is only a few hours a week to start with, the free entitlement will not be available from your provider. You will have to pay your provider for any hours that your child attends from the start of the funding period.