Entitlement to early education funding

Early years education funding - A parent guide

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Childcare funding information

All parents should have the same rights to access a funded childcare place, regardless of if they choose to pay additional charges. There should be no restriction on the child accessing a funded place.

  • The Local Authority offers funded places with 'Good' or 'Outstanding' Ofsted registered settings
  • When choosing a childcare setting, you are able to request a visit and ask questions about their policies, charges, etc.
  • Childcare providers are allowed to charge a registration fee or a deposit, but this should be refundable after a certain time and should be made clear at the initial point of interest

Funding for your child starts the term after their birthday. These are the general term dates of when your child will be eligible for their funding from 9 months and over.

Childcare funding information
A child born between If eligible can access funding from
1 April and 31 August 1 September
1 September and 31 December 1 January
1 January and 31 March 1 April

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Session times

  • Some providers will allow you to stretch your funding over the whole year by reducing your weekly hours
    • 570 hours or 1,140 hours per year depending on the type of funding
  • You can use this funding with one or more registered setting
  • If you wish to pick your child up early or drop them off later (outside of your session times), you are likely to still be charged for the full session price

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Invoices

You should expect your childcare invoice to clearly show the breakdown of your hours and any additional charges. If you have any questions regarding your invoice, you should speak to your childcare provider.

From January 2026, childcare providers must ensure that invoices are clear and transparent and must show:

  • the funded entitlement hours
  • additional private paid hours
  • food charges
  • non-food consumable charges
  • activity charges

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Additional charges

The funding the government pays for your child (funded hours) is to cover the cost of childcare. It is not to cover the costs of meals, consumables, or additional hours and childcare settings may charge additional charges to cover this.

Childcare providers should inform parents of any additional costs before they take up a place. While you may be happy to pay for these additional charges, they are voluntary and you should be given the option to provide your own consumables to avoid the extra charges.

Below is an example of what settings can charge for:

Example of what settings can charge for
What can they charge for? Alternative
Refundable deposit Providers cannot charge a registration fee as a condition of taking up a child’s funded entitlement, but can charge a refundable deposit, which must be paid back as soon as possible when the child starts
Meals and snacks Settings will have their own policies, which may include parent’s being able to provide a packed lunch or have other arrangements in place
Nappies and wet wipes Settings will have their own policies, which may include parents being able to bring their own
Sun cream Parents are able to provide their own
Outings and trips Parents can decide whether they want their child to participate or not. If they do not participate, childcare providers should ensure that the children continue to receive provision that complies with the early years foundation stage (EYFS).
Additional hours Parents can purchase additional hours at the settings set price
Additional activities Settings can charge for additional activities that are outside of the early years curriculum, however it is parental choice to pay for and participate or not. Additional activities mean anything that requires an external organisation coming in to provide the activity.

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Frequently asked questions

  • What if I want to change my childcare provider?
    • You can change provider subject to giving four weeks' notice. Childcare settings are allowed to claim four weeks funding as part of your notice period so if you give them less than four weeks' notice, you can't claim funding at another setting until those four weeks have passed.
    • Please note: if you have signed a funding agreement but have not yet started at the setting, the notice period will still stand.
  • Can I use funded hours whenever I want?
    • Childcare providers should not make it a requirement that funded/free places must be taken on, or delivered on, particular days of the week or at particular times of the day. If a provider cannot offer the sessions you require, you would be advised to seek more flexible childcare elsewhere.
    • You can email us at EY&CBrokerage@swindon.gov.uk for support with finding alternative childcare.
  • Can I split my hours between different providers?
    • The law says you can split your funding between three providers on two sites per day. You must let your childcare provider know if your child will be with any other setting, so they can work out how funding will be split and add the details onto your parental declaration. Failure to do so may result in you being charged at your childcare providers standard fees in the case of an over claim of funded hours.
  • The law says I do not have to agree to extra hours or additional services to get my funded hours?
    • That's right, delivery of these hours is legislated for in the statutory guidance and childcare providers are not allowed to make it conditional that you buy extra hours or services in order to get your funded hours. It also clarifies that they do not have to offer funded hours.
    • If there is an offer for stretched funding with a voluntary additional service fee as standard, this needs to be fully explained and parent/carers should be made aware of the childcare settings policy.
  • What if my child is ill or we go on holiday?
    • Occasional, short-term absence such as illness or a family holiday is fine. Where extended absences occur for medical reasons, the Local Authority allows childcare providers to continue to claim funding and hold open your funded place.
    • If your child is going to be absent for more than two weeks, you must ensure that you have notified your childcare provider. Your usual fees will still be charged to keep your child's place open.
    • If your child is absent for more than four weeks through non-illness, then the childcare provider will no longer be able to claim the funding for your child and the place can be offered to someone else.
    • Childcare providers will monitor your child's attendance. If your child is absent for an extended period, for example sickness or travelling abroad, they will notify the Council within a reasonable timescale. Decisions whether or not to hold your child's funded place in these circumstances will be dealt with on a case by case basis by the Council.
  • Can my child attend a setting if he/she is still wearing nappies?
    • You should not be refused a place and early years and childcare providers should support you with your child's toilet training.
  • Can my child attend a mainstream childcare setting if they have a special educational need or disability (SEND)?
    • All childcare providers should be inclusive for all children. If you feel that your child is not welcome because of their SEND needs, please contact: EYQITeam@swindon.gov.uk.
  • Can my child attend a childcare setting if they have delayed speech?
    • Yes, your child's speech is likely to develop if they are in an early years provision.
  • Can my funding be transferred if I wish to change childcare provider?
    • Yes, but most childcare providers require a four week notice period.
  • What do I do if I am unable to find a suitable childcare setting?
    • Please contact the early years and childcare brokerage team who will support you with this: EY&CBrokerage@swindon.gov.uk.

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How to make a complaint

In the first instance, wherever possible, speak to your childcare provider and explain your concerns. If after this you still feel that you need to raise a complaint, please contact Ofsted:

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Further information

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