30 hours update – Parents who have applied for a code but not received one

The DfE has informed the LA that a small number of parents who have applied before 31 August may receive their 30 hours code between 1 and 14 September, because HMRC required additional information before determining their eligibility (‘amber’ cases).

In these circumstances, providers should be satisfied that a parent applied for a 30 hour code by 31 August before offering a 30 hours place. For example, a parent might demonstrate that they applied before 31 August through sharing the information contained within their childcare account mailbox and secure message that will state when they were identified as an amber case, and the date they received the message.

Bradford LA will fund a 30 hours place for these parents for the autumn term where they have received a code from HMRC with a validity start date after 31 August and up to 14 September.

As previously advised, a parent can reserve a place for their child the term after their third birthday with their chosen provider prior to their code being checked, but the code must be checked via the Funded Hours Checker before the child can take up their funded place. If providers choose to allow parents to start the place prior to validating the code, it will be at the provider’s own risk should the parent prove to be ineligible.

The DfE has also stated that the childcare service helpline is now able to provide a temporary code to eligible parents experiencing on-going technical issues. Please encourage parents to contact the helpline on 0300 123 4097, who will check eligibility and provide them with a code if they qualify for 30 hours in the event that they cannot resolve their issue with their on-line application.

You may have heard a lot about the 30 hours childcare but what is it?

The Government calls this entitlement 30 hours extended childcare. It is a Government scheme to provide childcare support for children aged 3 and 4 to help working parents from September 17. A child is eligible the term after their 3rd birthday.

Early education and childcare is a great way parents can help their child make new friends, learn new skills and have fun.

What is classed as a working parent?

Working parent means both parents have to be working (or sole parent in a lone parent family) & each parent/carer earns on average a weekly minimum wage equivalent to 16 hours at national minimum wage (NMW) (for under 25 year olds) or national living wage (NLW) (if over 25 years old), and less than £100,000 per year. Even if you are on a zero hour contract you can apply for a place as long as you expect to be earning the above. A working parent can be self-employed and employed.

Foster carers are only eligible for the extended entitlement for their own children (if they meet the criteria). They are not eligible for children that they foster.

You are also eligible if both parents are employed but one or both parents is temporarily away from the workplace on parental, maternity, paternity or adoption leave or statutory sick pay, the parent is employed and the other parent has substantial caring responsibilities based on specific benefits received for caring, or one parent is employed and one parent is disabled or incapacitated based on receipt of specific benefits

How do I apply for a place?

Parents and carers will be able to check whether they are eligible and apply online from summer 2017 through a national checker. As soon as the national checker is available we will ensure we get this information on here for you to apply.

To receive emails about the new childcare schemes please provide your email address to https://www.tax.service.gov.uk/childcare-schemes-interest/welcome.

Where can I access the extra 15 hours?

Eligible parents can access the additional hours for their child at participating Ofsted registered childcare providers, primary schools, independent schools or nursery schools. If your child is already attending a childcare provider (including out of school clubs and holiday providers) or a school nursery ask them if they will be offering places from September 2017.

The Local Authority is currently consulting with childcare providers, schools and nursery schools to see who will be offering places. Not all providers will be offering places as it isn’t compulsory for providers to offer the 30 hours extended entitlement.

Parents can access 30 hours during term time or fewer hours all year round and can use the additional hours at more than one childcare provider.

Parents who are not eligible for the additional 15 hours will still be able to apply for the universal entitlement of 15 hours of early education for 3 and 4 year olds and for 2 year olds if they are eligible.

Early Years Pupil Premium

Childcare providers and schools can claim up to £300 of additional funding for every eligible disadvantaged 3 and 4 year old child attending their setting for their free early education. This money will help provide activities and new equipment to benefit your child. Eligibility is based on the following benefits:

• Income Support
• Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
• Income-related Employment & Support Allowance
• Support under part VI of the Immigration & Asylum Act 1999
• The Guaranteed Element of State Pension Credit
• Child Tax Credit (provided not also entitled to Working Tax Credit) with earnings from employment below £16,190
• Working Tax Credit run-on – paid for 4 weeks after stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit
• Looked After Children
• Looked After Children who have left care through Child Arrangement Orders (formerly Special Guardianship) or an Adoption or Residence Order

Check your eligibility for the Early Years Pupil Premium now

 

Contact details

Families Information Service

Telephone helpline : 01274 437503 (8.30am to 5pm, Monday to Thursday and 8.30am to 4.30pm Friday)
Urdu/Punjabi Helpline : 01274 431252 (8.30am to 5pm, Monday to Wednesday)
Polish/Slovak/Czech Helpline : 01274 434905 (9am to 3pm, Wednesday to Friday)
Mobile : Text ‘FIS’ to 07781472076 and we will call you back.
Email : fis@bradford.gov.uk

‘Outstanding’ childminder recognised with trip to palace garden party

Registered childminder Ann Corbet, from Bradford South, who was awarded a British Empire Medal in 2015, will be travelling to Buckingham Palace in 2016.

Ann, who was awarded the BEM for services to children in the Queen’s birthday honours list has been invited to a garden party at the palace which will take place in May this year.

Ann has been a registered childminder for 31 years and provided childcare and early education to over 300 children, including early education places for two-year-olds.

>Ann’s childminding has been graded as Outstanding by Ofsted, who said “The childminder is highly committed to working in partnership with others and takes a lead role in establishing effective working relationships with parents and other professionals. The welfare of the children is promoted exceptionally well and is significantly enhanced by the childminder’s policies, procedures and practice, which are implemented with a high level of consistency. Proactive systems are in place, which lead to continued improvement. Children’s learning and development is exemplary and they are achieving as much as they can. Therefore, the outcomes for children are excellent”.

Kay Holden, Sufficiency Officer for Early Childhood Services, said: “Ann is an inspiration and this is great recognition for all the hard work and dedication that she has shown in providing an excellent childminding service for children in Bradford South.”