Nursery school places

Nursery schools and classes usually open at 9.00am and close at 3.30pm. Most children will be offered a part-time place. This means an afternoon or a morning session of around two and a half hours. Nursery schools and classes close for school holidays of at least 13 weeks in the year, however some may additionally offer Out of School care before or after school during term time and in the school holidays.

Some nursery classes and nursery schools are part of the state education system and are free except for meals and trips. Some are run by private or voluntary sector organisations and they charge fees. Fees vary across the country. Most state, private and voluntary sector providers offer free part-time early education places for eligible three and four year olds.

Nursery education funding

Who can get a free place?

Any child attending a Coventry early years setting, that is registered with Ofsted and the Local Authority is entitled to a free part-time early education place.

Early years settings include playgroups/pre schools, day care settings, independent schools, nursery classes, reception classes and Children's Centres.

This free part-time place is for all 3 and 4 year old children - this includes children who may have additional needs, newly arrived children, children looked after by the Local Authority, children who speak English as an additional language and children with a disability.

What about the two year old places?

In Coventry a small proportion of two-year olds may be entitled to some free early years provision. The two year olds who qualify for this funding will be allocated on a case-by-case basis and will contacted by Coventry City Council should their circumstances fit the criteria set.

When will my child be eligible for a free early education place?

All children are entitled to up to 2 years of free early education before they reach statutory school age (this is the first term after their fifth birthday from 1st September) Many children start full time education in school reception classes before reaching compulsory school age.

Children born between 1st April and 31st August (inclusive) will be eligible to a free place from 1st September following their third birthday.

Children born between 1st September and 31st December (inclusive) will be eligible to a free place from 1st January following their third birthday.

Children born between 1st January and 31st March (inclusive) will be eligible to a free place from 1st April following their third birthday.

When can the free place be claimed?

Every eligible three and four year-old child can claim a maximum of 12½ hours per week, spread out over 2, 3, 4 or 5 days per week, for a maximum of 38 weeks in a year.

This is in the term following the child's third or fourth birthday.

How do I find out about early years settings in my area?

The Coventry Family Information Service holds an up to date information on all early years settings that are registered for the 3 and 4 year old funding. They can be contacted by calling 024 7683 4373, or you can visit their website at www.coventry.gov.uk/cis, you can also call in to the service based on the Main Floor, Central Library, Smithford Way, Coventry CV1 1FY.

The service is open: Monday, Tuesday and Thursday: 9.00 am - 5.00 pm, Wednesday 9.00 am - 6.00 pm and Friday: 9.00 am - 4.30 pm.

Details of local early years and childcare providers can also be found at www.childcarelink.gov.uk

How can the nursery education funding be claimed?

The funding is paid directly to the early years setting.

If you wish to claim the funding, you will need to visit the early years setting to check whether there is a place available for your child. The process will then be as follows: -

You will be asked by the early years setting for your child's date of birth. Proof of your child's name and date of birth is required,

You will then be asked by them to sign a form giving details about your child and how many hours he/she is claiming for. This gives permission for the early years setting to claim for your child.

The early years setting will then send this information to the Local Authority, who pays the provider for the number of hours your child is eligible to claim for that term.

Do parents have a right to a place with a particular provider?

No. The right to, or guarantee of a free part-time early education place is a right to a free place in the city, not the right to a free place with a particular provider.

What can I do if I am not happy with the setting's Admissions Policy?

If you are unhappy with the setting's Admissions Policy, please contact the Early Years Team with your query by telephoning on (024) 7683 2272 or via e-mail at eyccs.central@coventry.gov.uk.

Auditing

Regular checks of early years settings are undertaken, to ensure that claims for funding are legitimate. Information on each child is kept on a database, which is regularly monitored to ensure claims are not being made by 2 providers for the same child. It is very important that you inform the early years setting if your child is registered and in receipt of funding at another setting or attends a Local Authority nursery class (even part-time).

How much is the grant worth?

The level of funding you receive is £3.40 per hour, the funding covers 38 weeks of the year, please note each term may cover a different number of weeks, please check with your childcare provider for a detailed breakdown.

Will I have to pay for any extra services the early years setting provides?

If you choose to buy in other services, such as lunch or extra hours, you will have to pay.

The maximum number of hours that you can use in one day is 5.

The 5 hours can be taken without a break in between. This is only possible if the early years setting can accommodate your child for 5 hours on one day.

What if want my child to go to more than one setting?

You may take your child to more than one early years setting, but you can only claim a total of a maximum of 12 ½ hours per week.

If my child moves to a different early years setting, does the funding move with the child?

If you decide to move your child to a different early years setting after the headcount for that term has taken place, the funding for that term does not transfer with your child.

A claim may be made at the new early years setting for the following term.

The original provider, who made the claim, is entitled to keep the early years funding for the term in which you moved. They may be willing to share it with the new early years setting, but there is no requirement for them to do so.

What if my child has additional needs?

Please contact the Pre-school Education Service if you have any concerns regarding early years education for your child with additional needs on 024 7669 4736.

What if I want my child to be at the early years setting for more than 12½ hours per week?

If your child is attending the early years setting for more than 12½ hours per week because you are at work or in training, you may be able to claim the Working Tax Credit, for more details contact HM Revenue and Customs on 0845 300 3900 or visit their website at www.hmrc.gov.uk. However if you are not eligible for support from the Working Tax credit you may have to pay for any additional hours/services the early years setting may provide. You should ask for this information to be given to you in writing.

How do I claim childcare vouchers through my employer?

Childcare vouchers are a way of paying for childcare, usually via a paper voucher redeemable by the childcare provider. Please contact the Children's Information Service on (024) 7683 4373 for more information. They can also help you find out about extra childcare to match your working hours.

Your employer must be willing to adopt this scheme for you to use childcare vouchers.

Useful links

www.daycaretrust.org.uk
National Childcarelink website - advice on choosing the right nursery school or class for your child

Contact Details

If you have any questions regarding your child's early years education place, please ask the manager at your child’s early years setting or telephone the Early Years Team on (024) 7683 2272.

Nursery admissions