Free nursery education entitlement for two year olds
Due to the success of the Nursery Education Funding for Two Year Olds Trial, we have committed £1.7 million for 2012/13 to further develop nursery education places for children aged two years, living in Derbyshire, who meet certain eligibility criteria.
Your child may be entitled for up to 15 hours per week of free nursery education funding, commencing the term after their second birthday.
Who is eligible?
The eligibility criteria which must be met to access the free nursery education entitlement for two year olds is as follows:
Families who are in receipt of one or more of the identified benefits below:
− Income Support
− Income Based Job Seekers Allowance
− Income related Employment and Support Allowance
− Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
− Guarantee element of the State Pension Credit
− Child Tax Credit, provided they are not entitled to Working Tax Credit and have an annual income (as assessed by HMRC) that does not exceed £16,190.
If you are in receipt of Working Tax Credit you will not be
eligible for this funding.Children in care.
The child of a care leaver.
We will provide childcare for two year olds up to a care leaver's 25th birthday if they are in further education, higher education and apprenticeships, other training, paid or voluntary work. Otherwise, it will continue up to the 21st birthday.Children from traveller communities.
What will my child get?
Your child will be entitled to up to a maximum of 15 hours per week during term time, or up to a maximum of 11 hours per week all year round. You have the choice of either option as long as your needs can be met with your chosen nursery education provider.
When is my child eligible?
If you meet the criteria you are entitled to the free place from the term following your child's second birthday.
If your child was born between 1 January and 31 March you are entitled to the place from the Easter term (term five).
If your child was born between 1 April and 31 August you are entitled to the place from the September term (term one).
If your child was born between 1 September and 31 December you are entitled to the place from the January term (term three).
Where can my child attend?
You can choose any nursery education provider within Derbyshire, who has signed an agreement with us to deliver nursery education for two year olds, this includes pre-schools, day nurseries and childminders.
There is also the option to use a maintained (school) nursery for the final term of funding (this must be the term in which your child has their third birthday).
If you require a list of these childcare providers in your area, please telephone Call Derbyshire on 08456 058 058 or visit the families information service to carry out a childcare search.
How do I apply?
All you will need to do is ring us on 01629 539319 who will carry out an eligibility check for you.
By simply providing your 'name', 'date of birth', and 'national insurance number' we will be able to tell you over the telephone if you are eligible to apply for this funding.
If you are eligible, you will be asked for information such as your address, your child's name and date of birth. We will put this information onto a verification form which will then be sent to you for you to check, sign and return to us with copies of identification as detailed on the form.
When this information has been received and checked we will issue a funding approval letter which you can then take to the provider of your choice and make arrangements for your child to start.
If you have any queries or require further information, please do not hesitate to contact us on 01629 539319 and our friendly team will be happy to help you.
Related documents
The following documents are in Portable Document Format (PDF). You can download software to view PDF documents for free from the Adobe website (opens in a new window)