Early Years Funding Policy (EEFP)
Noah’s Ark Pre-school
Policy statement
3 and 4 year old funding
There is universal funding which provides up to 570 hours of free childcare a year
effective from the term following the child’s 3 rd birthday, this is normally delivered for
15 hours a week over 38 weeks a year (term time). The universal funding is available
to all eligible 3 to 4 year olds. Funding is claimed by and paid directly to the provider
from the local authority in which they are based. Funding for extended 15 hours has
to be applied for by eligible parents through HMRC. The eligibility code received from
HMRC will be used by the setting to obtain additional funding from the local
authority.
2 year old funding entitlement and working parents funding entitlement
This is an eligibility based funding for up to 570 hours of free childcare a year
effective from the term following the child’s 2 nd birthday. Applications for 2 year old
funding are made via the local authority and places can only be allocated once
eligibility has been confirmed. Eligibility is confirmed by the local authority that the
provider is based within and then claimed and paid directly to the provider. Eligibility
for 2 year working funding is confirmed through HMRC.
Further information on early years funding can be accessed via your local authority website(www.afcinfo.org.uk).
Further information on early years funding can be accessed via your local authority website(www.afcinfo.org.uk).
Admissions
As a pre-school, we follow the normal school academic year with a main intake in
September. However, if spaces are available, admissions are possible in January or
April. Applications for entry in September will be accepted until the last day of the
spring term.
Priority will be given to baptised Catholic children requiring a full time pre-school place who are already 3 years of age at the time of admission in September. Places will be allocated in the following order:
1. Baptised Roman Catholic children requiring a full time place (5×3 hrs am or pm) or (5×6.5 hrs all day) at the pre-school.
2. Non-Catholic children requiring a full time place (5×3 hrs am or pm) or (5×6.5 hrs) at the pre-school.
3. Baptised Catholic children requiring a part time place at the pre-school.
4. Non-Catholic children requiring a part-time place at the pre-school.
Priority will be given to baptised Catholic children requiring a full time pre-school place who are already 3 years of age at the time of admission in September. Places will be allocated in the following order:
1. Baptised Roman Catholic children requiring a full time place (5×3 hrs am or pm) or (5×6.5 hrs all day) at the pre-school.
2. Non-Catholic children requiring a full time place (5×3 hrs am or pm) or (5×6.5 hrs) at the pre-school.
3. Baptised Catholic children requiring a part time place at the pre-school.
4. Non-Catholic children requiring a part-time place at the pre-school.
Delivery and charges
At present, Noah’s Ark Pre-school offers two sessions a day, 5 days a week. The
morning session runs from 8.40 to 11.40 and the afternoon session from 12.15 to
3.15. We also offer places for all day children for 30 hour funding and charge £3 for
an extra 35 minutes at lunchtime (8.40am until 3.15pm). We may offer access to an
additional hour at lunch time for £5 if spaces are available.
We operate 38 weeks (570 hours) of the academic year. Parents who access our sessions when their child is not yet eligible for Government funding will be invoiced £18 per session.
We operate 38 weeks (570 hours) of the academic year. Parents who access our sessions when their child is not yet eligible for Government funding will be invoiced £18 per session.
Starters and leavers
Noah’s Ark is unable to offer a fully funded place if your child starts after the
designated headcount week. In this case we will invoice £17.50 per session until the
following term.
If your child leaves the setting after headcount day, the funding money will stay with the setting and can be accessed by another child who was not eligible at the time.
If your child leaves the setting after headcount day, the funding money will stay with the setting and can be accessed by another child who was not eligible at the time.
Deposit and Registration payments
Children who access our settings’ sessions through Government funding will not be
charged a deposit or registration fee. Children who are not yet eligible for
Government funding will be charged a non-refundable deposit.
Parental Declaration
Noah’s Ark will provide a parental declaration form issued by the Local Authority at
the beginning of the academic year. Parents will need to fill this form in and return it
in the time frame specified. Parents are only required to sign their form in the
following term namely spring and summer if their hours of attendance have not been
changed. Without this form, Noah’s Ark will be unable to receive funding for the child
and an invoice will be issued instead.
Queries and complaints
If you have any queries or complaints regarding the delivery of EEF at Noah’s Ark,
please talk to the setting manager who will try to solve the issue as soon as possible.
If you still have further questions, please contact Achieving for Children Early Years
Team at early.years@achievingforchildren.org.uk