Early Years Education Funding Checklist

Providers: Headcount day this term is Thursday 19 April 2012. Please note that all headcount claim forms and information have now been posted to settings. The deadline to return all claim forms is Friday 27 April 2012.

Notice - Ten Day Payment Target

We aim to pay all headcount claims within ten working days of receiving a complete and correct claim form from the setting.

Please see the table below which we use as guidance for this ten working day deadline.

ten_working_day_payment_target_dates.pdf

Use the date on the left of the column (the date the headcount form is received) to work out the target date the claim will be paid.
The date that is ten working days from the date the form is received is highlighted in the yellow column of the table.

If for any reason your form is delayed due to a query or missing information, we will inform you in the first instance of this problem and notify you if your ten day start date has been reset.
Your form will then be paid within ten working days of this reset start date

Numerous problems have come to light while processing the EYE headcount and claim forms. Some of the issues raised have been highlighted below and by bringing them to your attention should help to resolve them next time around.

Any queries will delay your payments so getting the form right first time will ensure your payment is released promptly.

(downloadable version)

The EYE parent form has been revised to enable easier completion and clarity on the EYE hours parents are requesting. Due to queries following the update of the EYE parent form, please use the guidance notes to help you and parents to complete the form correctly.

(downloadable version)

Ensure that the headcount form is completed fully

To ensure that your setting’s headcount claim is processed quickly please ensure that all aspects of the form are completed.

Although it might not be apparent when completing the form, all of the information is requested for a specific purpose and is used by Services for Young Children to develop its services.

Please complete the form fully including:

• Child’s first and last name

• Child’s correct date of birth

• Child’s first line of address

• Child’s gender

• Child’s Post code

• Whether or not English is the child’s first language

• Whether or not the child received SEN funding, and which type

  • N – does not have special educational needs

  • A – Has special educational needs – early years action

  • P – Has special education needs – early years action plus

  • S – Has a statement of special educational need

• Whether or not the child is split with another setting

• Leaving date of child if they are not attending for the whole term

The parent is not claiming the full amount of funding

Children are entitled to their free entitlement which is 15 hours per week within the constraints of the scheme.

• A child attending one day can claim a maximum of 10 hours

• A child attending two days can claim a maximum of 12.5 hours

• A child attending three or more days can claim the full entitlement of 15 hours

Settings should check the EYE parent declaration form before submitting their own headcount and claim form to Services for Young Children to ensure their claim has been maximised.

Each setting should allow the parent to claim for up to 10 hours per week for a child attending one day, 12.5 hours per week for a child attending two days, and the full 15 hours per week for a child attending three or more days. Some settings are not maximising this, even if they are the child’s sole provider.

It is evident from claims that some providers are restricting children's uptake of hours making them unable to claim their full entitlement, this restriction of hours is not permitted.

Providers should also be reminded that the first eligible 15 hours of a child's entitlement should be free of charge regardless of the EYE hourly rate being below your published chargeable rate. Settings are not permitted to charge parents a top-up fee in this situation.

Charge separately for breakfast and lunch within available funded hours

Settings must offer the EYE funding when open for Early Years Education and Childcare in line with their Ofsted registration. Settings must also publicise their opening to this extent.

Settings can claim EYE funding for breakfast and lunch time, but may charge for the meals.

Not claiming for right number of hours within a term and appear to be under claiming

Settings need to be clear about the number of hours they can claim in a term and claim for them. This is the maximum number of available days, minus any inset days. Settings need to check this and make sure they maximise their claim.

Claiming for 10 minute slots

Settings can only claim for a minimum of quarter of an hour
12 ¼ = 12.25 12 ½ = 12.5 12 ¾ = 12.75
i.e. 12 hours and 50 minutes would not be allowed and will be reduced to 12 hours and 45 minutes = 12.75

Signing and dating the form

The form needs to be signed and dated by the owner or an officer of the organisation:
Director, Treasurer, Chair Person, Legal Owner, Head teacher

Form completed in pencil

The form must be completed in permanent pen. Pencil work can be amended and given that the form has to be signed, it leaves the signatories and the setting vulnerable.

If you have any queries about your setting’s EYE funding claim please contact the Information Support Team at childcare@hants.gov.uk or 01962 847070, or contact your local office, details are on http://www3.hants.gov.uk/childrens-services/childcare/useful-contacts/eecu-local-offices.htm