There are now a number of options for free childcare and more are due to be introduced over the next eighteen months. These are outlined below, but both KCC and GOV.UK have updated their websites to cover these new options:-
KCC Free Childcare
GOV.UK Get childcare
15 hours for all 3 and 4-year-olds
This ‘universal’ entitlement is available to all three-and four-year olds.
There is nothing to apply for, it’s given automatically from the start of term after a child turns three and it runs until a child starts school. Please also be aware that entitlement to a Free Early Education place does not offer a guarantee of a place at any one provider or a particular pattern of delivery.
15 hours is a bit misleading really, because you automatically think you’ll be getting 15 hours a week for the whole year. But it’s only for the academic year (excluding school holidays) of 38 weeks a year. The actual entitlement is up to 570 hours per year. So for a child attending 51 weeks a year at the Sevenoaks Day Nursery, you’d receive 11.1765 hours per week (ie 570 divided by 51). You are welcome to spread the funding over 38 weeks. And you may also split the funding between childcare providers.
Free childcare for Working Parents (15 hours)
This is currently available for working parents of 2, 3 and 4-year-olds. From September 2024 it will be available for working parents of all children from 9 months old. It can be claimed in addition to the ‘universal’ entitlement.
Parents need to apply for this funding.
Applying for free childcare for Working Parents
Applying is quite straightforward.
First, you’ll need to determine if you are eligible, so go to the step-by-step guide on the Childcare Service website.
You’ll set up a Childcare Service Account and, in the process, you’ll be informed whether you’re eligible or not for the free childcare and a Tax-Free Childcare account. You don’t have to take up the offer of Tax-Free Childcare (see previous page).
Inform the Nursery
When you’ve set up your Childcare Service Account and have been approved, you’ll receive a confirmation email and this will quote your eligibility code. You need to pass this on to us. But please do so along with your National Insurance Number, and confirmation of your child’s date of birth. We’ll also need your written permission to use this information, because we then have to confirm your eligibility with KCC!
Quarterly re-confirmation
You’ll need to confirm your continued eligibility for the scheme every three months online. You should receive a reminder from the Childcare Service team.
If you fail to re-confirm you WILL lose the extra hours for a whole term!
Free For Two (FF2)
KCC calls their funding scheme for two year olds ‘Free For Two’ or ‘FF2’. It’s 570 hours funding for two-year olds from disadvantaged families. The eligibility criteria are quite strict and you can apply online at the KCC website or through your local Children’s Centre. The Sevenoaks Children’s Centre is based in Hospital Road. You can apply at any time for a FF2 place and once you’ve taken it up it’s yours until your child turns three and receives the Universal Entitlement - even if your circumstances change! There’s some more eligibility info here.
Parental Declaration Forms
If you receive any free childcare (Universal, Working Parent or FF2) we will ask you to complete and sign a Parental Declaration Form at the start of each term.
We cannot give any free hours for the term unless we have a properly completed and signed form.
There are some guidance notes to help you on our useful information page.
