Synergy - Enquiry

Frequently Asked Questions about 3 & 4 year old funding

Why does the childcare setting need a copy of my child’s birth certificate?

The setting needs to confirm your child’s date of birth to ensure that they are the right age to access a funded place. You can show the setting a copy of your child’s birth certificate, passport, or health record.

Can my child access their funded hours in Worcestershire if I do not live in Worcestershire?

If your child attends a childcare setting in Worcestershire, the place will be funded by Worcestershire County Council. If you child attends a setting in another local authority, that local authority will fund their place.

What happens to the funded hours if my child attends more than one childcare setting?

You can choose how you want to allocate your child’s funded hours, but you should talk to all your child’s settings to check what they can offer before deciding. Once you have agreed, you should enter the hours onto your Parent Declaration Form which will be given to you by each setting your child attends.

Do I have to pay for a free place?

Worcestershire County Council pays the childcare setting directly for the funded hours your child attends; however, this will not cover the cost of any food, consumables or additional services. The setting should have written information about how they offer the funded hours and any charges that may apply.

What if my childcare setting does not offer the funded hours when I want my child to attend?

Childcare settings can choose how they offer the funded hours. All settings must have a free offer available, but this can be for a limited number of places. It is advisable to check that the childcare setting offers the funded hours in a way which meets your needs.

All childcare settings should have written information to explain how they offer the funded hours.

If your chosen setting does not have an offer that meets your needs, please use the Childcare Search to find a suitable alternative.

Search for settings that offer funded places for 3 & 4 year old children

Can lunchtime be classed as part of the free entitlement?

The free place can be taken over a lunch break if this is offered by your childcare setting. Your setting may offer a meal at an additional cost, or you may be able to take a packed lunch; this should be discussed with your childcare setting before taking up the place.

Can I be charged a fee if I only want to use the free place?

You cannot be charged a registration fee if your child only accesses the funded hours. If your child access additional hours or services, you may be charged a registration fee; this should be discussed with your childcare setting.

If you are booking your child’s place in advance, you may be charged a refundable deposit to secure the place. This must be refunded to you by the end of the first term in which your child accesses funded hours.

Can I be charged during holiday periods?

If your child is accessing their funded hours over more than 38 weeks (stretched), you should not be charged during the holiday periods unless your child is accessing additional hours or services.

If your child is accessing their funded hours on a ‘term-time only’ basis and you do not wish to access paid for hours over the holidays, your childcare provider may not be able to guarantee your child’s place for the following term. You may be offered the option of paying a retainer to secure the place; this should be discussed with your child’s setting.

If my child does not attend, are the funded hours affected?

You are not able to claim back any funded hours that your child has been unable to attend; this includes illness, holidays, or any other absence. The funded hours will be used to keep your child’s place open until their return.

My child will soon be old enough to start in the reception class at school. Do they have to start, o

Legally, your child must start school the term following their 5th birthday. Your child can continue to access funded hours until the end of the term in which they turn 5 years of age.

Is there any additional funding for a child with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities?

If your child has Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), their entitlement is still a maximum of 15 free hours per week, unless you meet the criteria for 30 Hours Childcare.

If your child attends a specialist setting, such as an Early Years Language Class, the free hours will be automatically allocated to them. If your child attends the specialist setting for less than 15 hours per week, they will be able to use their remaining entitlement at another setting.

The setting may be able to apply for funding to provide additional support to meet the needs of your child; this is used to ensure that the funded hours are appropriate for your child and cannot be used to increase the number of funded hours they can access.

What is Early Years Pupil Premium?

The Early Years Pupil Premium (EYPP) is an extra payment given to your childcare setting for the universal 15 hours only, for children in families accessing certain benefits. Please indicate on the Parent Declaration Form if you think you are eligible; this will enable your child’s setting to claim additional funding to meet your child’s needs. Click on this box to find out more.

School Admissions Frequently Asked Questions (Opens in New Window)

How do I change my child’s setting?

The funded hours are allocated on a termly basis. If you wish to move your child to a different childcare setting, you will need to give notice to your current setting by the end of the 3rd week of term to guarantee a transfer of funding.

If you wish to transfer your child to a different setting after this date, please contact your local Family Information Service for support.

Before requesting a change in childcare setting, you should discuss any required notice periods with your child’s current setting. If a transfer takes place, the funded hours cannot be used to cover the cost of any notice period.

I am not sure if my child is receiving all their free entitlement – what should I do?

Your child’s setting should have written information explaining how they offer the funded hours. If you are paying for any additional services or hours, you should receive an invoice that clearly identifies any charges. If you are unsure about any of the charges, you should speak to your childcare setting who should be able to explain the fees. If you still have concerns, please contact your local Family Information Service for support.