What is the nursery education grant?
It's a grant which entitles all three and four year olds to a free part-time place in a registered childcare setting that provides quality early years education. A free part time place is for 12.5 hours a week over 38 weeks of the year. The 12.5 hours a week are broken down into five 2.5-hour sessions and can be taken in the mornings, afternoons or a combination of both.
The 38 weeks of the year that the grant is payable for is usually divided into two twelve-week terms (spring and summer) and a fourteen-week term (autumn).
When does my child become eligible for a free part time place?
Children become eligible for the grant from the start of the term following their third birthday. If your child’s third birthday is between
1 Jan – 31 March (spring term) he/she can start at the beginning of the summer term
1 April – 31 August (summer term) he/she can start at the beginning of the autumn term
1 Sept – 31 Dec (autumn term) he/she can start at the beginning of the spring term
How do I claim the grant?
You don’t need to claim. The setting will make a claim to the London Borough of Hounslow covering all the eligible children attending. The setting makes the claim for all the children attending on a particular date each term, known as headcount day. This is usually 2 weeks into the start of each new term. Settings cannot receive funding for children who start after headcount day, until the following term. It is a parent/carers responsibility to ensure that their child is enrolled in an eligible setting prior to this date.
The funding paid to settings is for the number of sessions your child is attending up to a maximum of 5 sessions of 2.5 hours per week.
Can my child attend fewer or more than 5 sessions?
Yes, the number of sessions is for you to decide what is right for your child. Evidence shows that 5 sessions gives maximum benefit for most children, but not all children’s needs are the same. You must agree with the setting how many sessions your child will attend regularly for the term. If it is fewer than 5, the setting will be funded proportionately. If it is more than 5, the setting will charge for the additional sessions. Fees for additional sessions are determined by the setting and are not fixed to the rate of funding.
Can my child attend sessions at more than one setting?
It is more beneficial to the child if it is possible to attend all sessions at the same setting. However, if this is not possible the sessions can be split between settings, but the maximum total number of sessions that will be funded is still 5. This applies whether the settings are in the same or different local authority areas.
All settings submit details of the children for whom they claim funding, so the number of sessions claimed for each child is known regardless of the number of settings attended.
Will I have to pay any additional fees?
If the sessions offered by the setting are for 2.5 hours, the sessions must be free of charge.
If your child attends a setting where sessions last for more than 2.5 hours, the setting may request additional fees for the time over the free 2.5 hours. Charges for extra time vary from setting to setting and are not controlled by the local authority. Settings should give clear information on charges for extra time and for any optional services. Most settings will automatically give this information, but if you do not receive it – ask before registering your child with the setting.
Do I need to be resident in Hounslow to claim the grant?
No, you can live outside the borough. Settings in Hounslow are funded by the local authority regardless of where the children live, but the setting must be signed up to the Hounslow Early Years Development & Childcare Partnership.
How do I know if the setting I want to use is part of this partnership?
For a list of settings in your area that are part of Hounslow Early Years Development & Childcare Partnership, please contact: Hounslow Children’s Information Service on 0800 783 1696.