Free For 2 (FF2) and 3 + 4 Year Old Free Early Education (FEE) Funding
Term time Free For Two Funding (FF2)
Some children during the term after their 2nd birthday may be eligible for Free For 2 Funding which is 15 hours per week for 38 academic weeks of the year (Maximum 570 per academic year). FF2 places commence the term after a child has turned two if eligible and can be claimed throughout the term depending on KCC windows for submitting the claims, if a child joins part way through a term.
If children are already attending The Old School House Nursery (OSHN Ltd), and they become eligible for FF2 this can be claimed from the beginning of the term after they have turned 2. If we have spaces available children can join us throughout the year and take up a FF2 place if eligible.
FF2 places can be accessed either as 2 x 8:00-3:30 (7.5 hours) sessions or 3 x 8:00-1:00 (5 hours sessions) per week for 38 weeks of the year.
Children in receipt of FF2 funding will automatically have a place at The Old School House Nursery (OSHN Ltd) for when their FEE funding begins.
Free Early Education Entitlement (FEE)
During the term after a child’s 3rd birthday all 3 year olds are eligible for 15 universal hours funding for 38 academic weeks of the year. For some children an additional 15 hours per week extended funding for 38 weeks may be accessed, please go to www.childcarechoices.co.uk to check eligibility. If children are attending for more than 38 weeks per academic year, parents can choose to stretch the funding to provide 12 (universal) or 24 (extended) hours per week over 48 weeks of the year.
FEE Funded hours start at 3 points throughout the academic year, commence in-line with the KCC payments at the beginning of each academic term in September/ January/ April.
Voluntary Additional Service Charge
You will see from our fee structure that there is a Voluntary Additional Service Charge for funded hours.
Why are we asking for this Voluntary Additional Service Charge?
The money paid by central government for a Free Early Education Place has remained relatively unchanged for a number of years whilst the cost of supplying these hours by private, voluntary and independent (PVI) providers The Old School House Nursery (OSHN Ltd) has risen dramatically.
For instance we have seen a huge increase in rates, pensions, the Living Wage as well as the normal, cost of living increases in utility and food charges. We are very conscious of the cost of child care and strive to keep the costs down, and fair to all. Rather than charging more for the younger children to compensate this deficit or dictating how and when funded hours are (For example only between 9-12/1-4 and charging x amount for the hours in between) we hope to be flexible and to provide your child/ Children with their full funded entitlement, in a way which works for each families individual needs.
Elements of this charge will also be allocated to ensuring that we are able to continue to offer a range of healthy food options at snack time, and to facilitate festivals, birthdays and other activities.
Your voluntary charge goes towards ensuring that this nursery remains sustainable and is able to maintain its high standard and quality of care. We will do this by ensuring our staff attend regular training and that we have increased staff/child ratios so that the children can have a nursery experience tailored to their individual needs.
Should you be unable or unwilling to make this donation then please speak confidently to the manager.