Admissions / Funding

Admissions Policy

I work to an open admissions policy. I do not reject admissions due to ethnicity, disability and apply equal opportunities to all. No child is guaranteed a place at my setting until a written contract is completed by all parties. I will not discriminate against any child because of disruptive or challenging behaviour. I am able to deliver Government funded, free entitlement places for entitled 3 and 4 year olds. I am able to deliver Government funded, free entitlement places for entitled children aged 2 Years old. Other children may not be in receipt of this funding within my setting. When registering for a Government funded placement all forms need to be completed and paperwork checked before the Council official headcount date. Failure to complete these forms before the headcount date unfortunately prevents funding to be accepted until the following term. I require sight of and copies of the child’s birth certificate and proof of child’s postcode before applying to the local authority for funding. I can only offer places up to the number stated on my Ofsted registration. Once this number has been reached a child may be placed on a waiting list, but no guarantee can be offered of a place. Accepting admission is complete when a contractual obligation is fulfilled to pay one month in advance unless otherwise stated on contract. If a child does not attend a free session this is non repayable and may not be changed to an alternative day. As a self employed business, I determine the pricing that I set for hours in addition to the free entitlement. Deposits will be charged for non-entitlement places held for children due to start in future weeks or for children not attending due to parent’s leave of absence e.g. maternity leave. Any charges in addition to the free entitlement will be payable monthly in advance on the first working day of the week closest to the 1st of the month. If fees are not paid on time then an additional fee may be applied unless already agreed between parties. Late payment fee of £10.00 will be applicable. Fees are re-evaluated April of every year, any changes will be given in writing by 1st March. Financial support may be available e.g. Childcare vouchers may be available through employers or childcare element of Working Families Tax Credit. I apply my admissions policy to all requests for a free entitlement place. If a place is not offered then parents/carers have a right to appeal against this decision. Appeals should be made to me in the first instance and recorded. If this does not resolve the matter then you should contact NCC Early Years and Childcare Services on 01604 237935 as they are accountable for the delivery of free entitlement in Northamptonshire.

Funding

Funding For Children aged 2

I am able to offer free entitlement of up to 15 hours childcare per week (term time only) for children aged 2, providing high quality and flexible Early Learning. To be eligible for this funding a parent/carer must have an income below £16,190 and be claiming one of the following state benefits: Income Support Income based Job Seekers’ Allowance Income-related Employment and Support Allowance Support under Part V1 of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 Guaranteed Element of the State Pension Credit or Child Tax Credit, provided you have an annual gross income of no more than £16,190, as assessed by His Majesty’s Revenue & Customs. You cannot be in receipt of Working Tax Credit (except during the four-week period immediately after the employment ceases, or after you start to work fewer than 16 hours per week. Additional information can be found: https://www.gov.uk/help-with-childcare-costs/free-childcare-2-year-olds

15 hour funding for children aged 3-4

I am able to offer a free entitlement of up to 15 hours childcare per week (term time) for children aged 3-4, providing high quality and flexible Early Learning. Children are eligible from the first full school term following their 3rd Birthday. 'The Free Entitlement' offers ALL 3-4 year olds up to 570 hours a year of free childcare. With a maximum of 15 hours allowed in any one week.

30 Hour funding for children aged 3-4

There are now an additional 570 hours childcare available for children aged 3-4 for eligible parents. This equates to a total of 1140 hours free childcare a year which can be utilised in different increments and can be spread between two providers. You will be eligible for the 30-hour funded childcare offer if: You (and your partner, if you have one) earn more than the equivalent of 16 hours at the national living wage or minimum wage per week: for example, £120pw if you are 25 or older. There is no requirement to work a certain amount of hours per week – it is all about how much you earn. This means if you only work 10 hours a week but earn £12 per hour, you will meet the minimum earning threshold. Apprentices are also eligible as long as they earn the equivalent to 16 hours at the apprentice minimum wage. AND You earn LESS than £100,000 per year. Additional information can be found) : https://www.gov.uk/help-with-childcare-costs/free-childcare-and-education-for-2-to-4-year-oldsChildcare

Voucher Schemes

Childcare vouchers are a Government scheme designed to help parents afford high quality childcare. Unlike many Government benefits, there's no claim forms for childcare vouchers, making them an easy way for you to save money. You can receive childcare vouchers of up to £55 a week (or £243 a month) from your employer, depending on your earnings. Basic-rate taxpayers can receive up to £55 a week (or £243 a month), higher-rate taxpayers can receive up to £28 a week (or £124 a month) and additional-rate taxpayers can receive up to £25 a week (or £110 a month). The earnings assessment is based on contractual pay and benefits from your employment, so some parents who pay higher-rate tax as a result of overtime, discretionary bonuses or investment income will still be able to receive the full voucher allowance of £55 a week. Childcare vouchers are usually received instead of part of your salary, through a system known as 'Salary Sacrifice'. Unlike your salary, you don't have to pay any tax or national insurance on childcare vouchers. The saving in tax and national insurance is typically worth around £900 a year for basic-rate taxpayers, so families can save around £1,800 a year. Contact your employers Human Resource Dept to enquire whether they have an operator in place or for further information. I am registered with several different voucher providers that allow parents to pay either direct through a bank transfer or via cheque. Current companies I am registered with are: KiddiVouchers, Busybees, Edenred, Computershare vouchers. I am able to register with any other companies if details are provided.