The two year project offers 15 hours, 38 weeks per year, free, inclusive and flexible childcare

Free childcare for two year olds

The project provides the opportunity for -

n Parents to return to work or study

n Improvement to learning outcomes

n Children to mix and play with other children

A limited number of places will be available from September 2013 subject to status.

How do I know if my child qualifies for a place?

If you can answer yes to all the following questions your child will qualify for a place, subject to availability:

n Do you live in Bexley?

n Are you currently in receipt of at least one of the benefits listed on the back of this leaflet?

n Is your child aged between 24 months and 36 months? Children become eligible from the beginning of the school term following their second birthday.

n Are you registered or due to register with your local Children’s Centre?

What happens when my child becomes three?

Subject to availability your child will remain in the same childcare setting. If there are no places you will be able to re-apply to another setting. Three and four year olds are entitled to 15 hours of funded provision after their third birthday.

If your child is placed in a nursery situated within a school there is no guarantee that your child will attend the school at the end of the placement.

Listening to you, working for you www.bexley.gov.uk

604906 Free Early Years Provision for 2 year olds.indd 1 20/09/2012 14:11

Listening to you, working for you www.bexley.gov.uk

If you would like the information in this leaflet in a different format, please call 020 8303 7777 and ask for Communications/Graphics. The reference to quote is 604906/9.12

What evidence do I need?

You must produce at least one of the following benefits to the provider of your choice:

n Income Support

n Lone Parents Benefit

n Income-based Job Seeker’s Allowance

n Income-related Employment and Support Allowance

n Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999

n The Guarantee element of State Pension Credit

n Child Tax Credit, provided you are not entitled to Working Tax Credit and have an annual income (as assessed by HM Revenue & Customs) that does not exceed £16,190

n Working Tax Credit ‘run-on’ (the payment someone may receive for a further four weeks after they stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit)

n Or evidence that the child is a ‘looked after’ child.

If you are not registered with your local Children’s Centre you will be required to do so. This will enable you to access a wide range of services for both you and your child.

What do I do next?

Contact us on 020 8303 7777

email fis@bexley.gov.uk or visit

www.bexley.gov.uk/youngbexley

You can also approach your local childminder, pre-school or nursery to check if they have free places.

The provider must have a ‘good’ or ‘outstanding’ Ofsted rating.

If the provider you would like to use has a ‘satisfactory’ Ofsted rating you will need to contact us on 020 3045 4198.

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