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Home:
Children and families:
Parents and carers:
Childcare:
fis@kirklees.gov.uk
All 3 and 4 year old children are entitled to 15 hours of early education and care each week for 38 weeks a year (this is a total of 570 hours each year).
Every child develops in different ways and at different rates and it is through ongoing observations of what the child is saying and doing that the practitioner builds up their knowledge of the child's needs, interests, and learning style. All areas of learning are equally valued and important including: making friendships and positive relationships with adults, developing vocabulary and communication skills, exploring and finding out about the world, playing imaginatively and developing thinking and number skills.
The Family Information Service can send you a list of providers in your area. When you have received your list you will need to contact your chosen provider(s) to discuss your requirements and to book a place for your child.
Before a place can be offered, the new provider will contact Kirklees Council to check that your child is not registered at another early years provider.
If you do need to move your child due to one of these circumstances you will need to apply for funding to be given to the new provider. The provider will send details to Kirklees Council to consider your case.
More information:
The headteacher will keep a list of all applications; this will be called the nursery admissions list. The length of time your child has been on the admissions list is not taken into consideration when places are allocated. The headteacher will inform you by letter whether your child has a place.
Admissions to nursery are the responsibility of schools' governing bodies. Details of individual schools' nursery admission policies can be obtained directly from each individual school. Please note the policies may vary from school to school.
Please note the acceptance of a part time nursery place in a school does not guarantee a full time place in the same school.
If you still have concerns after speaking to your provider please contact us.
Free early learning and care for 3 and 4 year olds - Information for parents
Family Information Service - May 2011fis@kirklees.gov.uk
All 3 and 4 year old children are entitled to 15 hours of early education and care each week for 38 weeks a year (this is a total of 570 hours each year).
- Advantages of early education and care
- Entitlement to free early learning and care:
- When is my child entitled to a free place?
- Where can my child receive free care?
- How can I use my entitlement?
- Is there a limit on how long or short an early education session can be?
- When can I use my entitlement?
- What if I only want 15 hours each week?
- What if I need more than 15 hours each week?
- Will I have to pay at the start of my entitlement?
- Can I use my child's entitlement at more than one provider?
- What is the headcount or census day?
- What if I my child starts after the headcount or census day?
- Do I have to complete any forms?
- What do the provider and the local authority do with the information collected about my child?
- Can I change my provider during a term?
- What if my child attends a provider outside Kirklees?
- Places in maintained nursery classes and schools:
- What if I am not satisfied with my child's free early education and care place?
- What if I can't find a place to suit my needs?
- Download this information in a leaflet
- Contact the Family Information Service (FIS)
About free early learning and care for 3 and 4 year olds
Advantages of early education and care
Early education sessions provide the opportunity for children to access their own unique entitlement to the Early Years Foundation Stage curriculum. This curriculum is underpinned by several key principles including working in partnership with parents and carers, providing quality learning opportunities through a well planned environment indoors and outdoors, and a play based approach to learning which is planned supported and guided by caring, trained practitioners.Every child develops in different ways and at different rates and it is through ongoing observations of what the child is saying and doing that the practitioner builds up their knowledge of the child's needs, interests, and learning style. All areas of learning are equally valued and important including: making friendships and positive relationships with adults, developing vocabulary and communication skills, exploring and finding out about the world, playing imaginatively and developing thinking and number skills.
When is my child entitled to a free place?
Your child is entitled to a place for up to two years before he or she reaches compulsory school age (compulsory school age begins at the start of the term following your child's fifth birthday).| If your child's third birthday falls between | He or she will become entitled to a free place from |
|---|---|
| 1st January and 31st March | the start of the summer term (after Easter) |
| 1st April and 31st August | the start of the autumn term (early September) |
| 1st September and 31 December | the start of the spring term (early January) |
Where can my child receive free care?
Free places are available at registered early years providers; this includes private day nurseries, playgroups and pre-schools, independent schools and accredited childminders working within an approved network.The Family Information Service can send you a list of providers in your area. When you have received your list you will need to contact your chosen provider(s) to discuss your requirements and to book a place for your child.
How can I use my entitlement?
Some providers may offer the free entitlement more flexibly than others. In your area you will be able to choose from at least the following patterns:- 3 hours over 5 days of the week
- 5 hours over 3 days of the week
Is there a limit on how long or short an early education session can be?
A session cannot be shorter than 2.5 hours or longer than 10 hours. If you choose to use all your entitlement of 15 hours this must be taken over a minimum of 3 days, therefore the most hours which can be used over two days is 12.5.When can I use my entitlement?
You can use your free entitlement between the hours of 8am and 6pm, although this will not be possible in every case as some providers are open for fewer hours.What if I only want 15 hours each week?
Most providers should be able to offer you with just your free entitlement if that is what you need. Where this is not possible the FIS can help to find a provider to meet your needs.What if I need more than 15 hours each week?
You can have more than 15 hours each week but the provider will charge for the extra hours used. For example if you need 35 hours each week, you will need to pay for 20 hours and 15 hours will be completely free.Will I have to pay at the start of my entitlement?
No, the 15 hours will be free as soon as your child is entitled to a free place. If you use more hours, your bill should just show the cost of your additional hours based on the normal hourly rate charged by the provider.Can I use my child's entitlement at more than one provider?
Yes, you can use your child's entitlement at a maximum of 2 providers; this includes settings from different sectors, i.e. a school and a day nursery. Providers will share relevant information to ensure continuity of the Early Years Foundation Stage curriculum and that the best needs of your child are met.What is the headcount or census day?
These are the dates set by the Government each term. Early Years Providers receive funding based on the number of 3 and 4 year old children they have on the headcount or census day. Your child therefore needs to be registered at a provider by the headcount or census day so the provider can claim funding to provide your free place.| Term | headcount or census day |
|---|---|
| Summer | The third Thursday in May |
| Autumn | The first Thursday in October |
| Spring | The third Thursday in January |
What if I my child starts after the headcount or census day?
If your child is not registered anywhere else on the headcount or census day the provider will still be able to claim for your child.Before a place can be offered, the new provider will contact Kirklees Council to check that your child is not registered at another early years provider.
Do I have to complete any forms?
Yes, you will be asked to complete a registration form and sign an agreement in relation to your child's free early education and care hours.Kirklees Parent Agreement
Kirklees Parent Agreement (RTF 298kb)
Kirklees Parent Agreement (Gujerati) (PDF 117kb)
Kirklees Parent Agreement (Punjabi) (PDF 300kb)
Kirklees Parent Agreement (Urdu) (PDF 300kb)Key facts statement
Explains the entitlement and terms and conditions of the parent agreement.
Kirklees Parent Agreement - Key Facts Statement (PDF 268kb)-
Kirklees Parent Agreement - Key Facts Statement (Gujerati) (PDF 167kb) - Kirklees Parent Agreement - Key Facts Statement (Polish) (PDF 290kb)
-
Kirklees Parent Agreement - Key Facts Statement (Punjabi) (PDF 290kb) -
Kirklees Parent Agreement - Key Facts Statement (Urdu) (PDF 400kb)
What do the provider and the local authority do with the information collected about my child?
Under the Data Protection Act your provider must give you details about how your child's information is used. These details are set out in a document called a Privacy Notice.- More information: Schools: data protection
Can I change my provider during a term?
It will only be possible to move your child to another provider during a term if you experience one or more of the following circumstances:- safeguarding issues
- a significant change of address
- a significant change in your employment status
- a significant change placing your family in challenging circumstances
- your child's needs are significantly not being met.
If you do need to move your child due to one of these circumstances you will need to apply for funding to be given to the new provider. The provider will send details to Kirklees Council to consider your case.
More information:
What if my child attends a provider outside Kirklees?
Your child may attend a provider outside Kirklees and access a free place, however you can only claim 15 hours in total. Please note local authorities share information about out of area children.How do I apply for a nursery place in a school?
You should apply for a nursery school place no later than one term before you would like the place to start, however please note these deadlines are subject to change. An application form and timetable is available from your local school.The headteacher will keep a list of all applications; this will be called the nursery admissions list. The length of time your child has been on the admissions list is not taken into consideration when places are allocated. The headteacher will inform you by letter whether your child has a place.
What happens if the nursery is full?
The headteacher may organise a panel to consider all applications for admissions if places are over-subscribed. The panel will consist of the headteacher, a member of the governing body, and the teacher in charge of the nursery.Admissions to nursery are the responsibility of schools' governing bodies. Details of individual schools' nursery admission policies can be obtained directly from each individual school. Please note the policies may vary from school to school.
Can I appeal?
Nursery provision is non-statutory therefore the school's decision will be final and there is no formal right of appeal. However, the headteacher will be happy to discuss any concerns you may have about the allocation of places.How do I apply for a full time place in a school?
Children are able to start full time in a reception class in the autumn term following their 4th birthday. You may choose to keep your child's part time place in a different provider and defer your child's entry to full time school.- More information: School admissions
Please note the acceptance of a part time nursery place in a school does not guarantee a full time place in the same school.
What if I am not satisfied with my child's free early education and care place?
If you are not satisfied and think your provider is not meeting the minimum requirements outlined in this leaflet please discuss your concerns with your provider to begin with.If you still have concerns after speaking to your provider please contact us.
What if I cannot find a place to suit my needs?
If you cannot find a place that meets your needs you can contact the Family Information Service, they can help you in finding a suitable early education and care place.Download this information in a leaflet
The information on this page is also available in this leaflet:
Free Early Education and Care (Gujarati) (PDF 1.4Mb)
Free Early Education and Care (Punjabi) (PDF 1.5Mb)
Free Early Education and Care (Urdu) (PDF 2Mb)
The Family Information Service offers free information, advice and guidance for children, young people and their
parents or carers on finding and paying for childcare, parenting issues, family activities and organisations that can offer further
support.
An information officer will call you back within 6 working days to talk about how we can help you. Standard network charges apply.
- Tel: 01484 414887
- Email: fis@kirklees.gov.uk
Texting service
You can text these keywords:- childcare
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An information officer will call you back within 6 working days to talk about how we can help you. Standard network charges apply.