Survive and Thrive FAQs following 2017 Events for Practitioners

How do we say ‘yes’ we want to provide 30 hours.  Is it optional?

When a provider wishes to offer the 30 hours funding they need to ensure they start marketing the offer to their and potential parents.  The offer is optional for providers; however, one would need to consider the impact on existing parents who may be eligible.

www.familyandchildcaretrust.org/childcare-help‎

Can we just do the 15 hours funding?

Providers who opt not to deliver the 30 hour scheme can continue to deliver the existing 15 hour offer. Providers will not be penalised for opting out of the additional hours.

What if we change our minds further down the line – if we want to/don’t want to take it?

Providers can withdraw from the offer, however, the impact on parents and occupancy should be assessed carefully.

How is the application to HMRC being made clear to parents? (so that they don’t come through the provider)

There will be a national advertising campaign after Easter.

If one parent only works 16hrs per week will they get 30hrs free funding?

If they are a single parent, yes.  If not BOTH parents need to be working.

Eligibility for self-employed parents?

There will be a special phone line for self-employed parents to check if they are eligible.

What about smaller providers and playgroups who don’t have use of building for the extra hours or have enough children/parents eligible?

Providers who are unable to make the offer for various reasons, partnership working should be considered so that parents can still take up the offer if eligible.

https://www.familyandchildcaretrust.org/dfes-30-hour-mixed-model-partnership-toolkit

Eligible by HMRC.  Will parents be provided a letter for providers?  For proof?  Or can provider check with HMRC?

As parents are applying on line and will need an email address, I would assume that an email with the code would be sent to parents.  Providers would need to check validity of code via their LA system.

If you split the 30 hours with another setting, do you still need to do the code check?

Yes, each setting should check the code.

Can we take a deposit from parents who receive the 30 hours?

Deposits should only be charged for additional hours over and above their free entitlement.

Will 3 year olds be entitled to the 30hr funding the term after their birthday (the same as the 15 hour funding?)

Yes

Is it just 30 hours or up to 30 hours (if parents work 20 hours per week do they get 20 hours free or 30 hours?)

Claims can be made up to 30 hours but will not be capped at the number of hours per week a parent works.

Will Pupil Premium be on 30 hours or just 15 hours?

EYPP will be only for the first 15 hours as the eligibility criteria for EYPP is different to the 30 hours so a child wouldn’t be eligible for both.

How will it work for parents who work 2 jobs and who total the eligible amount per week?

As long as the total the eligible pay per week, they will receive the 30 hours.

How does a parent of an SEN child register if they receive DLA?  When would the setting receive funding and are there restrictions on how it is spent?

Details of how parents of SEN children will receive a code is not yet clear neither is how SEN funding is to be paid.

If a child defers entry to school for a year, will we still get the funding?

A child can claim funding until their statutory school age (the term after their 5^th birthday)

I don’t understand why parents would need to pay for a term before they can get their funding

Confirmation of the grace period and when parents are expected to pay will be made clear in the provider agreement.  This is being defined nationally not locally.

What if a parent doesn’t re-register to check their code?  If grace period ends and parent has not checked code does a child just leave the setting?

The child will not receive the additional 15 hours only the universal hours.  Parents would need to pay for hours over and above the 15.

If a lot of parents take up the offer and places are full of 3 and 4 year olds will a setting still have a duty to take 2 year olds as part of the funding agreement?

No, the 2 year old offer is not compulsory, however, the 2 year olds taking up a place may well become eligible once they turn 3 so should be considered as part of occupancy planning and forecasting of a setting.

TAX FREE CHILDCARE – we can’t have the number we need because we are a charity!

The Local Authority will be contacted with a UTR number which will be made available to providers to enable them to register to take the tax free childcare.

National funding was available with counties putting in 25%.  Did Gloucestershire apply for this funding?  If not, why?

Yes Gloucestershire applied for 6 bids and have just recently learnt that we have been successful with one of those bids.

What grants are available to providers for expansion?

There will be a loan scheme that the Department for Education will promote shortly.

What effects will the funding have on parents going on maternity leave?

Parents will be eligible if both parents are employed but one or both parents is temporarily away from the workplace on maternity, paternity or parental leave.

Online childcare checker.  Can this export the data?  Can this system be extended to notify us when DERN’s expire?  Any other automation to help with the 3 monthly check?

The eligibility period will be detailed on the Nursery Funding Portal in the new “30 Hours Free Childcare Checks” area to be added shortly under the “Headcount” menu option.

Do you have to offer the full extra 15 hours?

No, providers are able to offer the extended entitlement in part i.e. less than 30 hours but more than 15 hours depending on what fits in with their business model and their parents needs.

Is there any information anywhere that we can give to parents to inform them about the 30 hours?

There is information available on www.glosfamiliesdirectory.org.uk  on both the 30 hours and tax free childcare.

Do we get a text when parents get one for end of funding period?

No, the text or email will go to the parents only.  The eligible period will be available for settings to see on the Nursery Funding Portal.