What is the 2 Year Old Early Years Education scheme?

What is the 2 Year Old Early Years Education scheme?

This is a scheme that allows eligible children to receive free early education from the funding period after their second birthday. 

Children who are confirmed as eligible will be offered a place of up to 15 hours per week (a maximum of 570 hours per child's eligible birth year).

Eligible children can start claiming free early years education after they turn two. The earliest date your child can start will depend on when his/her birthday is:

If your child starts his/her placement after this date, funding will start from when your child takes up the place with an approved provider.

You will need to confirm with your chosen provider how the free hours will be taken. The free early years education can be accessed over 2 days or more per week and the total number of free hours is 570 per child's eligible birthday year. You will be asked to complete a Parent Declaration Form. 

Once your child turns three he/she will be able to continue to have free early years education as part of the usual early years education entitlement for three and four year olds. Any additional hours or services that are not part of the free early years education will need to be paid for by the parent/carer to your chosen provider.

What are the benefits to my child and family?

The funding gives your child up to 15 hours a week of engaging in activities which will encourage their early learning, speech and language, social skills, independence and much more, but most of all, your child is learning with other children and finding their place in the world. Of course, those 15 hours a week will also give you a chance to have a break, return to or look for work, study, give other siblings some quality one on one time, whatever suits you.

Who can get funding for their two year old?

Please visit:

https://www.gov.uk/help-with-childcare-costs/free-childcare-2-year-olds for a complete list of eligibility criteria. 

Other information you need to know.......

Can a child take up the offer with any childcare provider?

• Childcare providers used for placements will need to have an Ofsted rating of ‘good’ or ‘outstanding’ and/or have been assessed by the Early Years Service as meeting the standards required. 

What about ‘extras’ like transport and meal costs?

• There is no additional funding available to meet transport costs. 
• Providers of early years education can charge for a meal if the child attends during a mealtime and the parent/carer agrees to this. However, providers should allow for a parent/carer to send in a packed meal for his/her child.
• If you are only taking up your free early years education your provider should not charge you for anything additional.
• If your child is having additional hours or other services offered by the provider they may charge you for these. The setting must provide you with an invoice for your child's attendance and this should clearly show charges made as well as showing your free hours.
• If you have any concerns about the fees or charges your provider is asking you to pay, you can contact the Early Year Service at earlyyyearsservice@westberks.gov.uk .

What happens if the family circumstances change?

• Once a child has been accepted onto the 2 Year Old early years education scheme and has started attending with an early years provider, funding will continue until the child moves into the usual  3 and 4 year old early years education entitlement.
• Should the family circumstances change, for example, if the parent/carer stops receiving benefits, the offer will not be removed.

To see if your 2 year old could benefit from such funding, please fill in our form: https://www.westberks.gov.uk/article/40502/Free-childcare-for-two-year-olds

 If you need any help with this, please call our Family Information Service on 01635 503100 or call into your local Family Hub who will be happy to help.