Private Nurseries - Nursery Education Funding

Parents can claim assistance towards the cost of private, voluntary or independent nursery/playgroup/childminder fees in the form of nursery education funding.

Who is entitled to nursery education funding?

Your child will become eligible to receive nursery education funding in the term following their third birthday.

It is payable to children attending a private, voluntary or independent setting that is registered through Ofsted to receive the funding. The funding is not means tested - it is paid for all children who are registered and attending on 'Headcount Day' each term, which is a date set by the Authority.

Procedure

Assistance is available to cover the cost of up to five, two and a half hour sessions of early years education per week, for 38 weeks per year.

The funding is paid directly to the private nursery provider who will deduct the funding from your bill. If the cost of the 2.5 hour session is less than the funding received from the Authority the nursery may keep the excess funding providing it is used to support the education of eligible children.

Nursery education funding is currently £1543 per year. This is based on the maximum claim of five two and a half hour sessions per week for 38 weeks per year.

The funding is split as follows:

Summer Term 2007
13 weeks - £528

Autumn Term 2007
14 weeks - £568

Spring Term 2008
11 weeks - £447

For further information please check the Funding Calendars 2007-08.

Helplines

School Admissions Section:
01226 773689
01226 773670

Nursery Education Funding Queries
01226 774513

Childminding Network Co-ordinator:
01226 775977

Childcare Information Service:
08000 345340

Charges/ Fees

There is no charge for the 2½ hour funded session. Each provider will set the level of their fees which will apply if your child stays longer than the two and a half hour funded session. You will need to contact the provider individually to find out their session fees.

How the funding is paid

Nursery education funding is paid directly to the private nursery provider to cover the cost of the funded sessions..

Registered early education providers

You can find lists of registered early education providers in the  'Early Years - Information and Advice to Parents 2007-08' booklet (see link below).

These lists give details of locations and opening times of the settings. Please note that some of these opening times may change from time to time - you will need to confirm opening times with your preferred nursery provider.

How the customer can help

The manager of the nursery will need to see your child's birth certificate as proof of their date of birth.

Application form references

Form PP1 - claim form for nursery education grant.

Leaflets

Early Years - Information and Advice to Parents Booklet 2007-08

Distribution points

• Schools
  
• Directorate for Children, Young People and Families
  Berneslai Close
  Barnsley
  S70 2HS
  
• Early education providers

Legislation

Code of Practice on the provision of free nursery education places for three and four year olds.

What you have to do to claim nursery education funding

The nursery staff will ask you to complete a claim form. They will also complete a section on the form and will then submit it on your behalf to the Authority following 'Headcount Day'.

We will then process your claim and pay the funding directly to your nursery provider.

Owner Officer Contact Details

Senior Officer School Organisation
Telephone: 01226 774513
Email: schoolorg@barnsley.gov.uk

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I find out which providers offer funded places?
For a list of all registered private providers see the Early Years Education booklet or ring the school admissions section on 773670.

When will I be able to claim assistance towards the cost of a nursery place?
From the term following your child's third birthday.

How do I apply to a private nursery/ playgroup or childminder?
Contact the manager/supervisor. Contact numbers can be found on the above-mentioned list of providers. For information on accredited childminders contact the Early Years Education Childminding Network Co-ordinator on 01226 775977.

If my child attends a private nursery, playgroup or childminder does that mean he can't stay on the waiting list for a school nursery?
If you have applied for a school nursery your child's name will automatically remain on that list unless you ask us to remove it or you are offered a place at another local authority nursery.

Can my child attend a private nursery, playgroup or childminder and a school nursery?
Yes, but you will have to pay the full cost of the private nursery place if your child attends for 5 sessions at the school nursery.

The private provider requires one month's notice to withdraw my child - if I am offered a nursery place at a school do I have to accept it immediately?
If you have to give notice the place at the local authority nursery will be kept open for that time.

What is the 'Headcount Day'?
The date on which the count of children attending settings is taken each term.

'Headcount Day' is on Thursday but my child only attends nursery on a Monday and Tuesday- will they have to attend on that Thursday in order to get grant?
No - providing your child attends on their regular days during the week that includes 'Headcount Day' your child will be eligible to receive the grant.

What if my child moves to a different nursery education funded setting after the Headcount date?
Funding can be transferred from the start of the first full week of attendance at the new setting up to the end of the current funding period.

What if my child attends for more than 5 sessions?
You will have to pay the full cost of anything over the 5 sessions.

What if my child attends more than one early education provider?
You can claim for more than one provider so long as your total claim is not more than 5 sessions per week.

My child attends nursery from 8am to 1pm - can this be classed as 2 sessions?
No. There has to be a break of at least one hour between each session.

I live in Barnsley but my child attends a setting in a neighbouring Authority - can I still claim the grant?
Yes, you will be able to claim the funding from the Authority in which the nursery is situated.

Related Links:

• Nursery School Places
• Department for Children, Schools and Families 
• Barnsley Choices
• Childcare Information Service

Last modified on 14/11/2007