15 hour childcare criteria

15 hours of Early Education for 2 year olds is available to children whose families meet one of the following thresholds:

• Universal credit

• Income support

• Income-based Job Seekers' Allowance

• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (If you are unable to work due to illness or a disability)

• Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999

• The Guarantee element of the State Pension Credit; or Child Tax Credit, provided they have an    annual gross income of no more than £16,190 as assessed by Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC).

• Working Tax Credits (including those in receipt during the four-week period immediately after their employment ceases, or after they start to work fewer than 16 hours per week) with a household income of less than £16,190 as assessed by HMRC.

• The child has a current statement of special educational needs or an Education, health and Care plan.

• The child is in receipt of the Disability Living Allowance.

• The child is looked after by their local authority (LAC)

• The child has left care through special guardianship or an adoption or residence order

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30 hour childcare criteria

Working parents of 2, 3 and 4 year olds may be entitled to 30 hours of free childcare.

The 30 hours free childcare is only for 38 weeks of the year.

This is equivalent to school term times. 

The eligibility for the 30 hour free childcare is:

• Your child will have their 3rd birthday before the end of the term prior to admission

• Both parents must be working – or if you are a single parent, then you must be working.

• Each parent earns, on average, a weekly minimum equivalent to 16 hours at National Minimum Wage or National Living Wage.

• Parents must have an annual income of less than £100,000.

• You live in England.

If one parent of the couple isn’t working, or both parents are not working then the family will still be eligible for their free 15 hours.  However, if one parent isn’t working because they are an official carer (e.g. receiving benefits relating to being a carer) or they are receiving disability benefits and the other parent is working, the government has stated it “intends to make provision“ to support these families.

You will also be eligible if you are self-employed, or on a zero hour contract, as long as you earn at least the equivalent of 16 hours at the National Minimum Wage.

 

Universal 15 hours childcare criteria

All 3 and 4-year-olds are entitled to:

• 15 hours free childcare per week (universal entitlement)

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For more information and to check your eligibility for a full time place, please look here – Best Start in Life - Best Start in Life

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Fee paying spaces
 

Fee-paying places are available for families who wish to:

• Top up funded hours

• Access additional sessions beyond their entitlement

• Attend outside of funded weeks

Please contact the nursery office for full details of our fees and availability.

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Transparent invoicing & charges

We are committed to full transparency in how we deliver funded childcare in line with Birmingham City Council and Department for Education guidance.

Our invoices are fully itemised, clearly showing:

• Free Early Education Entitlement (funded hours)

• Additional privately paid hours

• Food charges

• Non-food consumables (e.g. nappies, wipes, sun cream)

• Optional activities or services

This ensures parents can clearly distinguish between funded provision and any additional optional charges.

All additional charges are voluntary and agreed in advance.

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Complaints Procedure

We have a clear and accessible complaints procedure in place for parents and carers.

If you are not satisfied that your child has received their Early Education Entitlement correctly then please refer to our complaints policy, we aim to resolve concerns promptly and fairly.

If you remain dissatisfied, you can contact the Early Education Entitlement (EEE) team at: earlyeducation@birmingham.gov.uk

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Our complaints policy includes this contact information to ensure concerns can be escalated where necessary.