Early Years Entitlement
Little Explorers Day Nursery and Preschool works with Somerset’s Local Authority, and in line with the Code of Practice, to offer the Early Years Entitlement funding for 2, 3 and 4 year olds.
All children are entitled to 570 hours of Early Years Entitlement (EYE) funding per year, starting from the period (January, April or September) following their 2nd birthday.
Little Explorers is an all-year-round provider, operating for 51 weeks of the year and stretches the funding to enable you to claim funding all year round. Parents are able to claim 11.2 hours per week.
​
​

Frequently asked questions
Some children may also be entitled to an additional 570 hours funding. This funding has a strict criteria and is aimed at working parents.
Under these circumstances, parents are able to claim up to 22.35 hours per week.
To find out if you are eligible visit: https://www.gov.uk/apply-30-hours-free-childcare
Parents must apply the term before if they wish to use the additional funding. Children are currently unable to start to claim the additional hours partway through a term. For example, if your child turns 3 in August and you do not provide your 11 digit pin until 1st September, your child will not be able to utilise the additional hours until the following January.
When you apply, you’ll be confirming that you need childcare so that you and your partner, if you have one, can work. If your child is already in a full-time reception class in a state funded school, you will not be eligible for 30 hours free childcare.
In order to receive the additional funded childcare, you will need to register via the Government website and once completed, will need to provide us with the following: 11 digit code, parents full names, national Insurance numbers, and a signed consent form to enable us to verify your 30 hours pin with the Local Authority’s Entitlements Team (we will keep your consent on record).
Parents will be required to renew their application every 3 months.
Any additional hours and extra sessions attended will be charged at the usual rate.
Please see our Consumables and Services Policy for more information.
The maximum number of hours that can be claimed each day is 10.
Both the 15 and 30 hours are based upon a child attending a term-time only setting that is open for 38 weeks of the year. Little Explorers is open for 51 weeks of the year, therefore we provide a stretched offer.
Please note, we do not offer term-time only provision.
Parents are asked to verify the number of hours being claimed each term by signing a Parent Declaration form. Little Explorers Day Nursery and Preschool Ltd reserves the right to withdraw a space with immediate effect if full fees are not received.
We charge a late fee of £20.00 for all fees not received on or before 20th of each month, unless otherwise agreed.
To make a claim visit: www.childcarechoices.gov.uk and follow the instructions.
To claim funding at Little Explorers we will require a copy of your child's birth certificate, a completed registration form and declaration consent to process your entitlements code.
Please note: Funding can only be claimed the term following your child's birthday.
There is no minimum session requirement when taking up a place at Little Explorers.
Whilst we do suggest a minimum of two sessions per week to give children the best out of their time with us, we appreciate that for some families this is not possible and therefore do not place a minimum requirement to take up a place with us.
In order to secure a place for your child, a non refundable registration fee of £80.00 is required at the time of booking. This deposit secures the days requested (where available) or a place on our waiting list. This cost is a non-refundable administration fee.
Where a child does not subsequently take up a place, the administration fee will be non-refundable. Should you require a space with a start date in the future, you may have to pay full fees to retain the space. You will be provided with full details of this at the point of registration.
We will contact you immediately once your registration fee has been received and confirmation will follow.
Children who wish only to access the funding and no additional hours, will not be required to pay a registration fee.
We apply an additional Consumables charge for all 9month,2,3&4 year olds at Little Explorers. This covers the cost of consumables and services as the Government funding only covers the childcare element of our fee.
There is no charge to 2/3 year olds in receipt of EYPP.
It is important to highlight to families that the Early Years Entitlement is free for families to access and therefore the consumables and services charge is voluntary. If you do not wish for your child to receive additional services or food whilst attending Little Explorers please discuss with the nursery manager and we will offer alternatives so you can continue to access your child's free entitlement.
We have subsidised some of these costs to keep the consumables and services element of our fees as low as possible. Whilst still ensuring children are able to access a wide range of activities and extra-curricular as part of our setting standard always going above and beyond in the learning and development opportunities provided.
For more information please view our Consumables and Services additional information, which clearly outlines what this covers.
You can apply for early years pupil premium if your child is aged 3 or 4 and you get 15 hours free childcare.
You must also get at least one of the following:
Income Support
income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
income-related Employment and Support Allowance
support under part six of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
the guaranteed element of State Pension Credit
Child Tax Credit (provided you are not also entitled to Working Tax Credit) and have an annual gross income of no more than £16,190
Working Tax Credit run-on, which is paid for 4 weeks after you stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit
Universal Credit - your household income must be less than £7,400 a year after tax not including any benefits you get
You may also get early years pupil premium if your child is currently being looked after by a local authority in England or Wales or if your child has left care in England or Wales through:
adoption
special guardianship order
a child arrangements order
To apply visit:
https://www.gov.uk/get-extra-early-years-funding