Free Early Years Education Entitlement
What is Free Entitlement for
3 and 4 years olds?
Free Entitlement is a government scheme which currently enables children of 3 and 4 year olds access to Free Early Years Education funding for up to 15 hours a week, for 38 weeks of the year (school term-time). Early Years Funding Free Entitlement is available from the school term after your child's 3rd birthday as outlined below:
Birthday
Eligible for Free
Entitlement
Deadline for application
1st April - 31st August
Autumn Term (commencing in September)
31st August
1st September -
31st December
Spring Term (commencing in January)
31st December
1st January -
31st March
Summer Term (commencing in April)
31st March
What do I need to claim our Free Entitlement?
Children need to be in attendance of the nursery before the funding task is submitted to West Berkshire. If your child joins after the funding task deadline their funding cannot be used until the following term. For further information please contact the nursery.
The Nursery will supply you with a form to sign in order for us to claim the Free Entitlement funding on your behalf. We will also need to see your child’s original birth certificate or passport if we haven’t seen this already.
Working Parent Entitlement for children aged 9 months to 4 year olds.
In addition to the 15 hours a week Free Early Years Entitlement you may be eligible to access a further 15 hours funding under the Working Parent Entitlement, totalling 30 funded hours per week, for 38 weeks of the year, from the beginning of the term following your child’s 3rd birthday.
The Working Parent Entitlement scheme is also available for children aged 9 months to 3 years, enabling you to claim 30 hours Free Entitlement per week, for 38 weeks per year.You will need to apply for the additional funding.
To find out if you are eligibleplease go to www.childcarechoices.gov.uk and make your application for funding before the deadline date. Once the deadline date has passed, we will not be able to apply for your funding until the following term.