Childcare and Early Years Education Introduction Childcare and

Childcare and Early Years Education

Introduction

Childcare and Early Years Education Support for families - national initiatives: • • Early Years Education Two Year Old Early Years Education 30 Hours Childcare Tax-Free Childcare

Early Years Education • All 3 and 4 -year-olds in England can get 570 hours of free early education or childcare over 38 weeks of the year (or fewer hours over more weeks). This is called the ‘universal’ entitlement. • Some 2 -year-olds are also eligible. Your child is eligible: • From the term following their 3 rd birthday until they reach compulsory school age • If they usually live with you – you do not have to be their parent however foster carers are exempt

Early Years Education • The free early education and childcare must be with an approved childcare provider • Its possible to stretch your entitlement by taking fewer hours over more weeks of the year • Its possible to use more than one childcare provider to claim the full entitlement • Parents apply for the funding through their childcare provider • It stops once your child starts reception class in a state school

Two Year Old Early Years Education Eligibility Criteria Your 2 -year-old can get free early education and childcare if you get one of the following: • Income Support • income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA) • income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) • Universal Credit • tax credits and you have an annual income of under £ 16, 190 before tax • the guaranteed element of State Pension Credit • support through part 6 of the Immigration and Asylum Act • the Working Tax Credit 4 -week run on (the payment you get when you stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit)

30 Hours Childcare 3 and 4 -year-olds may also be entitled to an additional 570 hours of free childcare over 38 weeks of the year, a total of 1, 140 hours – ‘extended entitlement’ Eligibility Criteria: • Available to 3 and 4 year olds • Each parent (or sole parent) needs to be working (including selfemployed, zero hours) • Both (or sole parent) needs to earn on average equivalent of 16 hours at the National Minimum Wage (NMW) or National Living Wage (NLW) per week and – Earn less than £ 100, 000 per annum per parent – Some exceptions to the rules: https: //childcare-support. tax. service. gov. uk/moreinfopar/2

30 Hours Childcare How can the extended entitlement be used? • Day nurseries, pre-schools, childminders, out of school clubs and schools • Hours can be taken over 38 weeks or more and can be used from 6 am to 8 pm • Maximum session length 10 hours each day • More than one childcare provider can be used

30 Hours Childcare • Apply for 30 hours free childcare (and Tax. Free Childcare) – single online application • Secure 30 hours childcare place – eligibility code presented to childcare provider for validation and agree arrangements for child • Reconfirming eligibility – every 3 months, reminder from HMRC • If no longer eligible, child continues to receive ‘universal’ entitlement

30 Hours Childcare Is 30 Hours Childcare best for me? • To check which childcare funding scheme is best for you use the government’s childcare calculator: https: //www. gov. uk/childcarecalculator How do I check eligibility and apply? • To check eligibility and to apply visit the Childcare Choices website: https: //www. childcarechoices. gov. uk

Tax-Free Childcare This is essentially a savings scheme to pay for childcare. • For every 80 p put into a Tax-Free Childcare Account, the state will add 20 p – giving the basicrate tax back on what you pay • In total the scheme pays for up to £ 10, 000 childcare per child each year – so you could get an extra £ 2, 000 per child (or up to £ 4, 000 if your child is disabled) each year. • Other people, such as family members and employers, can also pay into your Tax-Free Childcare account (not reliant on employer providing the scheme, e. g. childcare vouchers)

Tax-Free Childcare Eligibility Criteria: • The same as 30 Hours Childcare, though available to children up to 12, (or 17 with a disability) • Government are introducing a ‘start-up’ period so self-employed parents won’t have to earn the minimum income level during this time

Tax-Free Childcare Eligibility Criteria: • Available to parents on paid sick leave, paid & unpaid statutory maternity, paternity and adoption leave • Can not be claiming tax credits (this includes the childcare element of Working Tax Credit) or Universal Credit

Tax Free Childcare To check eligibility and to apply visit the Childcare Choices website: https: //www. childcarechoices. gov. uk Problems using the online childcare service or need information? Call the childcare service helpline: 0300 123 4097

Childcare Choices (https: //www. childcarechoices. gov. uk/)

Information for families • Hampshire Family Information Directory https: //fid. hants. gov. uk/ • Services for Young Children Website https: //www. hants. gov. uk/socialcareandhealth/c hildrenandfamilies/childcare • Hampshire Family Information Service Tel: 0300 555 1384 Email: childrens. services@hants. gov. uk

Any questions? For 30 Hours/ Tax-Free Childcare applications Childcare Service Helpline: 0300 123 4097 For finding childcare / early years education services Hampshire County Council Children’s Services 0300 555 1384 childrens. services@hants. gov. uk