The Nursery Education Fund
and Other Financial Help

Many other questions are answered by referring to the Site Index , Basic Facts about the School
or the School Handbook pdf version available

What is the Nursery Education Fund ?

This is funding provided by the government for children in the Early Years age group, between the ages of 3 and 4 (see the table below). In Lambeth, nursery providers registered for funding are obliged to provide the first 15 hours care free to children eligible for the funding.

The funding is expected to cover childcare costs only, but does not include lunches.

How do I apply for it ?

The Fund is applied for by the school, parents have no involvement in the process.

What is the procedure followed by the school ?

At a predetermined day early in each term, usually the second Thursday, the school submits the details of eligible children on roll on that day to the local council Early Years Department. The grant is then initially paid to the carers based on that information.

Further submissions may made later in the term for children starting late.

At the start of each term, we place a suitable credit for the, full amount of the grant, into each relevant account. This will then reduce the amount owing to the school by the amount of the grant.

How much is the grant ?

It may vary each term. At the time of writing this information (December 2008) it is £522 per term for the full grant.
The full grant is given to children attending 15 hours per week. If you do less than this, it will reduce according to a formula supplied by Lambeth.

I do not live in Lambeth, does this matter ?

No. All children are eligible regardless of where they live.

Can I transfer the grant to or from another nursery ?

Yes (in Lambeth). The council has stipulated that a proportion of the grant may be transferred when children move to or from other nurseries.

When does the grant start and finish ?

This depends on the precise date of birth of the child. The table below can be used to calculate whether or not your child will start or stop receiving the grant.

TERM

DOB range for Eligible 3 and 4 Year Olds

Autumn 2008

1 SEPTEMBER 2003 to 31 AUGUST 2005

Spring 2009

1 JANUARY 2004 to 31 DECEMBER 2005

Summer 2009

1 APRIL 2004 to 31 MARCH 2006

Autumn 2009

1 SEPTEMBER 2004 to 31 AUGUST 2006

Spring 2010

1 JANUARY 2005 to 31 DECEMBER 2006

Summer 2010

1 APRIL 2005 to 31 MARCH 2007

Autumn 2010

1 SEPTEMBER 2005 to 31 AUGUST 2007

Spring 2011

1 JANUARY 2006 to 31 DECEMBER 2007

Summer 2011

1 APRIL 2006 to 31 MARCH 2008

What if I have more questions ?

Initially, contact the main office at the school.

Other Sources of Funding

Fund Description Contact
Child Benefit This is available to a parent or carer who has legal responsibility for a child. You can claim child benefit for a child under 16 Child Benefit Office 0845 302 1444
Child Tax Credits You may be entitled to help via child tax credits which are paid directly into the bank account of the main carer. Inland Revenue on 0845 300 3900 or
a Jobcentre Plus Office
Working Tax Credits You may be entitled to this fund if:
  • you are aged 16 or over and work 16 hours or more per week
  • you are part of a couplewhere both partners must be working more than 16 hours per week.
 As above
Care to Learn Care to Learn gives support to teenage parents (under 20) who want to continue their education or training and need help with childcare costs. The college providing the support will arrange the application.
Care to Learn 0845 600 2809
Learn Direct Similar to Care to Learn but for over 20's. Learn Direct 0800 100 900
Connexions Direct 0808 0013 219
Childcare Affordability Program (CAP) Provides parents with subsidised childcare places. The subsidy is up to £30 per week. To qualify for a place you will need to be in receipt of Child Tax Credit at the higher rate of the family element.
 Contact Families' Information Service for Lambeth on 0845 601 5317.
Childcare Affordability Program 2 (CAP 2) Lambeth Council may help you with childcare costs if you are:
  • Training
  • Studying below NVQ level 2
  • Looking for a job and are unemployed
  • On benefits
  • On a low income as defined in benefits regulations
  • If you have a child from 0 - 14 years old with Special Educational Needs
Contacts as above.
New Deal for Lone Parents This is for lone parents if you are:
  • bringing up children on your own
  • and your youngest child is under 16 and you are not working or working less than 16 hours per week
 Contact Jobcentre Plus on 0845 6060 234

Last modified 2008-12-8