Early Education Grants

This is available to children the term after they turn 3 years old – all children are entitled to 15 hours free, some families may be entitled to 30 hours.

30 hour entitlement:

Little Stars can offer up to 29 hours of the 30 hour entitlement. You need to meet the following criteria to receive the extra hours funding;

• Both parents are working and earn the equivalent of 16 hours per week at the NLW (16 x £8.91) £142.56 per week & earn less than £100,000 per year.
• If you are a single parent you need to work and earn the equivalent of 16 hours per week at NLW (16 x £8.91) £142.56 per week and earn less than £100,000 per year.

To apply for or check if you are eligible for the 30 hour funding log onto the Government website www.childcarechoices.gov.uk

We will ask you to complete a form at the beginning of each term and we will apply for funding either 15 or 30 hours on your behalf. Without the signed form we cannot apply for your funding, it is also not possible to change the application during a term and so parents will be charged fees for any extra sessions until the next application can be made.

When will my child receive a grant?

A child born between: Will be eligible for WCC Grant as follows:

1st January and 31st March – The start of the summer term following their 3rd Birthday until statutory school age.

1st April and 31st August –  The start of the autumn term following their 3rd Birthday until statutory school age.

1st September and 31st December – The start of the spring term following their 3rd Birthday until statutory school age.

2 year funding

Some 2 year old children are eligible for 15 hours free funding if the family receive certain benefits such as income support, income related job seekers allowance, their annual income is less than £15,400 etc., please ask for more information.

Early years pupil premium

Some families may be entitled to the Early Years Pupil Premium which provides Little Stars with extra £300  funding to use towards your child’s early education.  Families are eligible if they are in receipt of one or more of the following:-

Income Support

• Income-based Jobseekers Allowance
• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
• Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
• The guaranteed element of State Pension Credit
• Child Tax Credit, but not Working Tax Credit, with an annual gross income of no more that £7,400
• Working Tax Credit run-on – paid for 4 weeks after you stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit

OR

The child has:

• Been Looked After by the local authority for at least one day
• Been Adopted from care
• Left care through Special Guardianship
• Been or is subject to a child arrangement order (formerly known as residence order)