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Hertfordshire County Council

How to apply

If you think you're eligible, you need to apply online. You can start applying around your child's 2nd birthday:

If your child turns 2 between...You can apply from...

1 January – 31 March

1 January

1 April – 31 August

1 April

1 September – 31 December

1 September

You'll need:

  • your National Insurance/NASS number
  • your child's NHS number (check your red book or ask your GP)


If you're eligible, we'll send you a reference code to use when you contact childcare providers.

 

What am I entitled to?

Your 2 year old can get 570 hours of free early education per year If you receive one of these benefits. That’s 15 hours per week if Term time only.

  • Universal Credit – if you and your partner have a combined income from work of less than £15,400 a year after tax
  • If you and your partner have a combined income of £16,190 a year and are in receipt of Child Tax Credit or Working Tax Credit, but not both at the same time
  • The Working Tax Credit 4 week run on (the payment you get when you stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit
  • Income support
  • Income based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
  • Income related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
  • The guaranteed element of State Pension Credit
  • Support through part 6 of the Immigration and Asylum Act.
  • Zambrano carers and those with an immigration status stating “No Recourse to Public Funds” (NRPF) are subject to the following maximum household income criteria:
    • £26,500 for families with one child
    • £30,600 for families with two or more children
    • a maximum of £16,000 in savings or investments.

More information about Zambrano cases (GOV.UK).

Contribution based JSA/ESA is not a qualifying benefit.

 
Your 2 year old can also get 570 hours free early education a year if they:

  • are looked after by a local authority
  • have a current statement of special educational needs or an education, health and care plan
  • have left care through a special guardianship or an adoption or child arrangement order
  • get disability living allowance.

That's 15 hours per week if term time only.

Visit gov.uk for the more details of who's eligible.

When can I start using it?

If you make an eligible application between...You can start using your free hours from...

1 January – 31 March

1 April
(after their 2nd birthday)

1 April – 31 August

1 September
(after their 2nd birthday)

1 September – 31 December

1 January
(after their 2nd birthday)

Where can I use it?

Find an approved childcare provider offering free early education for 2 year olds, in our childcare directory:


How to choose a provider and use your hours
- find out:
• the differences between each type of provider
• different ways to spread your hours
• what information providers should give you up-front.


Contact a provider with your reference code, let them know when you'd like to start and see if they have any available places.

How long does it last?

Your free hours won't decrease or stop, even if your circumstances change.

Find out what your child is entitled to when they turn 3.

 

Free early education for 3 and 4 year olds

All 3 and 4 year olds are entitled to either:

  • 570 hours of free childcare per year.
    15 hours per week, if you use it during the 38 weeks of term time

or

  • 1,140 hours of free childcare per year.
    30 hours per week, if you use it during the 38 weeks of term time.

 


 

First, find out whether you're entitled to 15 or 30 hours of free early education

Read the government's guidance or use their childcare calculator.

 


 

If you're entitled to 15 hours of free early education

How to apply

You don't need to do anything. There's no application, code or voucher required. Just find an approved childcare provider offering 15 hours of free childcare, then contact them directly.

What am I entitled to?

You are entitled to 570 hours of free childcare per year. This amounts to 15 hours per week, if you use it during the 38 weeks of term time.

When can I start using it?

If your child's birthday is between...You can start using your free hours from...

1 January – 31 March

1 April
(after their 3rd birthday)

1 April – 31 August

1 September
(after their 3rd birthday)

1 September – 31 December

1 January
(after their 3rd birthday)

Where can I use it?

Find an approved childcare provider offering 15 hours free childcare for 3 and 4 year olds, in our childcare directory:


How to choose a provider and use your hours
- find out:
• the differences between each type of provider
• different ways to spread your hours
• what information providers should give you up-front.


Once you've chosen a provider, let them know when you'd like to start and see if they have any available places.

How long does it last?

Your free hours are available until your child starts reception class or until the start of the school term after their 5th birthday - whichever comes first.

 


 

If you are entitled to 30 hours of free early education

How do I apply and when can I start using it?

Visit GOV.UK to find out:

  • How to apply
  • When to apply
  • When you can start using your free hours.

Where can I use it?

Find an approved childcare provider offering 30 hours free childcare for 3 and 4 year olds, in our childcare directory:


How to choose a provider and use your hours
- find out:
• the differences between each type of provider
• different ways to spread your hours
• what information providers should give you up-front.


Once you've chosen a provider, let them know when you'd like to start and see if they have any available places.

How long does it last?

You need to sign in to your childcare account on GOV.UK and re-confirm your details every 3 months to keep receiving free childcare.

This will continue until your child starts reception class or until the start of the school term after their 5th birthday - whichever comes first.

 

Different childcare types and what to expect

Childminders

  • Self-employed and registered with Ofsted, they will care for your children at their home.
  • Must hold a relevant qualification.
  • They deliver the early years foundation stage.
  • To offer free early education, they must be registered with the local authority.
  • Ask your childminder about any specialist services they offer.

Day nurseries

  • Registered and inspected by Ofsted.
  • The manager or leader will hold a relevant qualification.
  • They deliver the early years foundation stage.
  • Must be registered on the scheme to offer free early education to 2, 3 and 4 year olds.
  • Open throughout the year, usually offering either full or half day sessions.

Nursery schools and classes (maintained)

  • Schools run by the Local Authority, inspected by Ofsted.
  • Visit the nursery website for information on how to apply, admission rules and what provision is available.
  • Maintained nursery schools offer free early education to 3 and 4 year olds.
  • Some will offer free early education to eligible younger children from the age of 2.

Pre-schools and playgroups

  • Registered with Ofsted and deliver the early years foundation stage.
  • The manager or leader will hold a relevant qualification.
  • Must be registered on the scheme to offer free early education to 2, 3 and 4 year olds.
  • Normally only open during school term time only and tend to cater for 2-4 year old children.
  • Pre-schools can also be called playgroups, nurseries or kindergartens.

Out of school care – after school, breakfast and holiday clubs

  • Registered with Ofsted and inspected by them.
  • They provide care for children aged 4 - 11.
  • The manager or leader will hold a relevant qualification.
  • The majority of out of school clubs will provide a light meal or snack during the session.
  • Clubs will offer a range of activities for children.


How you can use your hours

Some providers will let you:

  • spread your free hours over 52 weeks, using fewer hours per week
  • split your free hours between up to 3 providers.

Contact them and ask.


Additional costs

  • You should never have to pay for any part of your free childcare or pay for additional services in order to get your free hours.
  • Providers cannot charge a top-up for free early education hours. (This is the difference between HCC funding and their hourly rate).
  • Some providers might charge extra for consumables like nappies or outings during free early education hours, however, providers must offer an alternative option for parents.


When you contact a provider, they should tell you up front:

  • how many free childcare places they have (in their admissions policy)
  • when you can use your free hours
  • any additional costs
  • the price of any extra hours you want to take.

You'll need to complete a parent declaration form for each childcare provider your child attends.

If you have any questions, please contact childcare@hertfordshire.gov.uk.

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