Aim
To make every parent or carer aware of the free entitlement available to them.
2 year old funding
Twenty seven percent 1 of 2-year-olds are eligible for free entitlement the term after they become 2 years
of age. To qualify, the child must be of eligible age and the parent(s) in receipt of one or more of the following
income-based benefits:
- Income Support
- Guaranteed element of State Pension Credit
- Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
- Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
- Universal Credit and have an annual net earned income equivalent to and not exceeding £15,400*
- Tax Credits (and you have an annual gross household income of no more than £16,190)
- Working Tax Credit 4-week run on (the payment you get when you stop qualifying for Working Tax
Credit).
You can apply for two-year funding online via this link or by calling 01243 777807.
3- & 4- Year-Old Funding
- Your child is eligible for 15 hours of funding per week, for 42 weeks of the year, the term after they turn 3.
- Funding can be used across more than one setting, though no more than two sites in one day.
- Proof of child’s birth date will need to be provided either by passport or birth certificate.
- Leechpool Caterpillar Nursery will inform parents or carers when their child becomes eligible for free
entitlement and will provide a parent declaration form to complete to secure the funding. - Parents or carers who wish to claim the free entitlement should register with Leechpool Caterpillar Nursery
- no later than the headcount day.
- Where a child moves from Leechpool Caterpillar Nursery to another provider within West Sussex after
headcount day, Leechpool Caterpillar Nursery will ensure that the balance of the unused funding will be
transferred to the new provider on their request provided a minimum of 4 weeks’ notice has been given.
30 Hour Funding
Your child may be eligible for 30-hours funding if you, or your partner (if you have one) are:-
- In work, on sick leave or annual leave, or on shared parental, maternity, paternity, or adoption leave.
- Receiving Incapacity Benefits, Severe Disablement Allowance or Carers Allowance (if your partner is
working). - Over the next three months, you and your partner (if you have one) must expect to earn the following:
- £2,167 if you’re aged 23 or over.
- £2,117 if you’re aged 21 or 22.
- £1.577 if you’re aged 18 or 20.
- £1,098 if you’re under 18 or an apprentice.
- This is the National Minimum Wage or Living Wage for 16 hours a week on average.
You can use an average of how much you expect to earn over the current tax year if: - You work throughout the year but do not get paid regularly.
- You’re self-employed and do not expect to earn enough in the next 3 months.
- Further information can be found here.
You’re not eligible if:
- Your child does not usually live with you.
- The child is your foster child.
- Either you or your partner has a taxable income over £100,000.
- You’re from outside the EEA and your UK residence card says you cannot access public funds.
You can get 30 hours free childcare at the same time as claiming Universal Credit, tax credits, childcare
vouchers or Tax-Free Childcare. - For more information on Free Entitlement contact the Family Information Service (FIS) on 01243 777807
or by visiting this website.