Early Learning Entitlement

The Free Early Learning Entitlement is available to three and four year old children at the Local Education Authorities discretion.

Eligibility for a Free Place

(Extract taken from... 'A Code of Practice on Delivery of Free Early Years Provision for Three and Four Year Olds – Information for providers Sept 2010').

The table below should be used to determine when a child is eligible for a free place: A child born in the period Will become eligible for a free place 1st April to 31st August Start of the Autumn term (September) following their 3rd birthday 1st September to 31st December Start of the Spring term (January) following their 3rd birthday 1st January to 31st March Start of the Summer term (April) following their 3rd birthday

Children remain eligible until they reach statutory school age, which is the term after their 5th birthday, or when they start attending a reception class (Foundation Stage 2).

Minimum Entitlement

For each eligible child Sheffield LA will fund the maintained and private, voluntary and independent (PVI) sector a maximum of 15 hours a week, taken over a minimum of three days, for 38 weeks a year.

The following limits apply to accessing free entitlement:

• Up to 10 hours on one day
• Up to 12.5 hours over 2 days
• Up to 15 hours over 3 days or more
• A minimum of 2.5 hours per session
• At a maximum of 2 providers at the same time
• Not before 8am or after 6pm

Parents may choose to allow their child to take up fewer than 15 hours.

Children Moving to England from Abroad

A child moving to England from another country is entitled to a free nursery education on the same basis as any other child regardless of whether they have British citizenship.

Students on the 34 week academic year are entitled to use all their 38 week eligibility following the school term calendar.

The funding is deducted from your invoice each month in line with local authority payment patterns. If you don't attend you may lose your funding or be charged for your place and ultimately lose your place.

Each term you will be required to complete a signed 'Parental/Carer Declaration Form' specifying the number of hours that we the Sheffield University Students' Union Nursery as your childcare provider will claim on behalf of your child.

The form includes a question about attendance at other settings to ensure that parents are not accessing more than their entitlement, therefore minimising the risk to providers of funding errors and the possibility of EYECS reclaiming funding.

The funding does not cover snacks or lunch costs, these need to be either paid for monthly or be provided by the parent.