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Frequently Asked Questions

Answer:

Funded childcare places are available for families with children aged from 2 to 4 years old.

For 2 year olds:

• Think2 – 15 funded for families what may not be in work, low income or receiving additional government support. Find out more and how to apply
• Working Parent Entitlement – 15 hours is available for working parents of 2 year olds. Available from April 2024

For 3 and 4 year olds:

• Universal 15 hours – 15 hours for all 3 and 4 year olds
• Working Parent Entitlement – in addition to the universal 15 hours, working families could receive an extra 15 hours to make 30 hours. Find out more on funded places for 3 and 4 year olds.

Parents can access the Working Parent Entitlements from the term after they have successfully applied for an age eligible child.

Parents can access funded hours at registered childminder, both private and school based nurseries, pre-schools and some wraparound providers. Children could access funding up until and including the term a child turns 5 years olds, but 4 year olds attending a primary school reception will not be eligible as this is considered a full time school place.

Answer:

Apart from the universal hours for 3 and 4 year olds, parents will have to meet the eligibility criteria and apply for all other elements of funded childcare, this includes:

• Think2 – 2 year funding for low income families receiving government support.

  • Parents apply to Staffordshire County Council. Successful applications will receive a confirmation code that you must give to your childcare provider.

• Working Parent Entitlements – for 2 year olds and includes the extra 15 hours for 3 and 4 year olds.

  • Parents must meet the criteria and apply via the government website Childcare Choices. Parents who receive a code must present this to their childcare provider so it can be validated.
  • Fosters Carers and their Social Worker must apply to Staffordshire County Council for the Working Parent Entitlement, not to Childcare Choices. Find out more.

*Childcare Choices are solely responsible for checking eligibility on application made to them for the Working Parent Entitlements.

Answer:

Families who fall out of eligibility will receive what is called a Grace Period. This is an extended period of time where a child receives the Working Parent Entitlement so parents can either reconfirm the code or find employment.

Once the grace period has lapsed, parents who do not meet eligibility will lose access to the Working Parent Entitlement. In these circumstances parents may have to pay for their childcare but should also consider other options for help with childcare costs:

  • 2 year olds – Think2 – funding for families not in work, low income or receiving additional government support.
  • 3 and 4 year olds – Universal Hours - families who lose the extra 15 hours that made up 30 hours, will revert back to being eligible for just the universal 15 hours.
  • Additional Support for childcare costs can be viewed at Childcare Choices

Parents should be advised that they may not be able to access their Working Parent Entitlement if they move childcare provider or child starts a funded place when already in the Grace Period.

Parents who re-apply to Childcare Choices after the grace period will be able to access the Working Parent Entitlements from the term after a re-application has been made.

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