Childcare Expansion

From April 2024, 15 hours childcare support will be available to all eligible working parents* of children aged two years old (the term after the child turns two)

From September 2025, 30 hours of childcare support will be available to all eligible working parents* of children under 5

*Parents who work more than 16 hours a week and earn less than £100,000

Current Funding

Funding - Free Early Education

The Early Bird Pre-School CIC is registered with Hertfordshire County Council to offer 15 hours per week of free early education for all children the term after their 3rd birthday as follows:

Funding - 30 Hours early education childcare support

Some 3-4 year olds may be entitled to an additional 15 hours per week. For further details ask a member of staff or follow this link.

https://www.hertfordshire.gov.uk/media-library/documents/schools-and-education/childcare-and-advice-for-parents/30-hours-free-childcare-checklist-for-parents.pdf

Funding - Childcare support for 2 year olds - supported families

We are registered to offer 15 hours free childcare for children aged 2 whose families receive the following benefits:

income support

• income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)

• income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)

• Universal Credit – if you and your partner have a combined income from work of less than £15,400 a year after tax

• tax credits and you have an annual income of under £16,190 before tax

• the guaranteed element of State Pension Credit

• support through part 6 of the Immigration and Asylum Act

• the Working Tax Credit 4-week run on (the payment you get when you stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit).

Free childcare is also available for children who:

• are looked after by a local authority

• have a current statement of special educational needs or an education, health and care plan

• have left care through a special guardianship or an adoption or child arrangement order

• get disability living allowance.

IMPORTANT

To receive a 2 year funded place you must first apply to the local authority for a code. This can be done here: Childcare and free early education | Hertfordshire County Council

Once you have received the code please provide this code to the setting (admin@earlybirdpreschool.co.uk). Unless we receive this code we will invoice you for an unfunded place.

For more information about funding and eligibility visit www.childcarechoices.gov.uk

Please note, all entitlement is subject to places being available. See our admissions policy for more information.

Fees

Our session hourly rate is £6.50 per hour (rising to £7.50 per hour in April 2024)

In light of the new government childcare support funding we are currently reviewing our fees for September 2024 to ensure we remain affordable to parents but sustainable.

Please note that session fees are charged half termly. All Fees are non non-refundable and non-transferable (see our policies and procedures page for more information). We accept Child Care Vouchers, cash, cheques and bank transfers. Please see your invoice for payment details.

We offer a 10% discount for twins / siblings attending at the same time

Don't forget to check if you can save 20% of your childcare costs with Tax Free Childcare! Go to www.childcarechoices.gov.uk for more information