15 hours funded childcare (Early learning for 2 year old's)

Early learning for 2- year-olds funding is available to families in England who get extra support, like those on Universal Credit or children with an Education, Health, and Care Plan.

Please refer to the Best Start in Life website for more information about the criteria which must be met.

To offer this entitlement to parent/carers in Norfolk, registered childcare providers must follow the early year's foundation stage framework and meet the inspection standard detailed in the current Statutory Guidance for Early Education and Childcare.

Eligible children can commence their funded place from the start of the claim period following their second birthday once a NEO code has been obtained which proves eligibility.  The amount of funded hours per week will depend on the providers early education offer, but cannot exceed 15 hours per week (or 570 hours in total per year).

Where parents meet the eligibility criteria for both the Early learning for 2-year-olds funding and 30 hours funded childcare (aged 9 months to 4-years) the funding claim must be split so that the first 15 hours are claimed under Early learning for 2-year-olds funding and the remainder under 30 hours funded childcare (aged 9 months to 4-years) up to the maximum of 30 hours.

Are families READY, STEADY or GO

Families can use "Are you READY, STEADY or GO for funded childcare" to find out how and when to apply.

Proving eligibility

Some families will receive a letter from Norfolk County Council advising them that their child may be eligible for a funded place.

Letters are sent to families before it is possible to commence a funded place, so that they have time to check that their family or child meets the criteria and find a childcare place which meets their needs. The letter will describe three basic steps the family should follow -

Step 1 - Complete an eligibility check

They must create or sign in to their existing Norfolk Education Online account and add/select your child's details to complete the check.

Step 2 - Eligibility is confirmed or Not Found

If eligibility is confirmed, an eligibility code will be emailed to them. Before a place can be offered, families must share with you a copy of the confirmation email message as it will prove eligibility plus denote a six-digit NCC eligibility code.

If the result of their check is "Not found". It will be necessary for the Early Years team to complete a manual check. To do this, the family will be required to submit documentation which provides proof of eligibility. This documentation could be:

• TC602 Tax Credit Letter
• Universal Credit Statement
• Letter confirming child is in receipt of Disability Living Allowance
• Special Education Needs (SEN) (opens new window) Statement or an Education, Health and Care Plan
• Court order
• Adoption certification

Step 3 - Find a childcare provider

We recommend that families read our guide Choosing quality early education and childcare and search the online Norfolk Community Directory where they can easily browse through information about childcare providers in their area.

Claiming funding

Once a NEO code has been obtained, the earliest start date funding can be claim is:

Parents and Carers

Once the childcare agreement is agreed, each claim period families must complete and sign a parent/carer claim form to confirm the hours to be claimed on their behalf.  This form is issued to families and retained by the childcare provider.  Also available is a parent / carer booklet, this should also be shared to help them understand more about early education.

Parent/Carer Early Education Funding Booklet (PDF, 388 KB)

Providers

Providers must have access to the Early Years Provider Portal to claim the funding for families.  Access is determined by the Local Authority funding agreement that must be in place.

Need some support to claim?

Parents and Carers

Families should talk to their childcare provider.

Providers

If you have a query about funding, you can:

• email the Early Years Finance team at [email protected]
• call the Early Years Finance team on 01603 222300 - Option 2
• attend or arrange online training which is offered via Teams sessions

Marketing materials

Leaflets and posters about early education are available. Please contact the Early Years Advice Line on 01603 222300.

Other information

• Early education funding documentation - claim form, calculators, funding agreement

• Statutory guidance for early education (opens new window) on GOV.UK