Early learning and childcare places
Early learning and childcare funding is available for three and four year olds for up to 15 hours per week for up to 38 weeks a year during school term time. The hours can take place in nurseries (including school nursery classes), playgroups, pre-schools or at certain childminders.
The 15 hours must be used over at least three days each week and parents/carers can use a maximum of 10 hours a day between 8am and 6pm. The 15 hours funding can also be shared between two providers.
Information for parents on childcare available in each area can be found on the Plymouth Family Information Service website or by calling 0800 783 4259.
When can a child have their entitlement?
|
Children who are three years old between: |
Will have a free place from the following: |
|---|---|
| 1 April and 31 August | September |
| 1 September and 31 December | January |
| 1 January and 31 March | April |
These free places can be offered until a child reaches statutory school age.
To support the extension of funding to 15 hours free entitlement in 2010 with increased flexibility, the Department for Children, Schools and Families (now the Department for Education) announced details regarding the early years funding reform in June 2007 which required all local authorities to:
- Analyse the cost of delivering the free entitlement in the private, voluntary and independent (PVI) sector by March 2008
- Introduce a consistent pupil count for maintained and PVI settings from 2009/2010.
- Introduce an Early Years Single Funding Formula (EYSFF) for both maintained and PVI settings by 2010/2011.
Useful documents regarding the early learning and childcare places and early years funding reform are available to download from the documents table below by all interested parties.
Early year funding reform [315KB]Two year old funding (ME2)
Plymouth City Council is working together with the Department for Education (DfE) to offer a limited number of free places to some two year olds living in Plymouth. The scheme is designed to support childrens learning and could help parents to be able to get training or a job.
If a family qualifies, a free childcare place could be available as well as a range of other services to help with the everyday pressures of bringing up children.
Parents/carers can find out if they qualify by contacting their local Children’s Centre, talking to their Health Visitor or contacting the Family Information Service (FIS) on 0800 783 4259.
A Children’s Centre worker will be able to talk to parents/carers about the options available. If parents/carers do not qualify, the worker will help to look at other funding and give information on childcare, local children’s activities and support services.
For further information about this funding and how to qualify please read the ME2 leaflet available below or contact the ME2 Coordinator on 01752 307450.
ME2 funding leaflet [2MB] ME2 funding application form [78KB]