There are 3 types of Funded Early Learning (FEL) available to help families. The funded hours are of great benefit to children, helping them to develop their language skills and social skills. Children who go to nursery make the step up to school far more easily. Meanwhile the parents are supported with childcare costs to help them access training, go to work, or deal with life generally.
Some 2 year olds can get up to 15 hours FEL a week if their parents are on a low income or if the child receives Disability Living Allowance (DLA), has Special Educational Needs (SEN) or an Educational Health Care (EHC)plan, or if they’re a Looked After child.
All 3&4 year olds can get up to 15 hours FEL a week, and that lasts until they start at school.
There is a new offer of an additional 15 hours a week for 3&4 year olds if their parents are working – so that’s up to 30 hours a week. To be eligible both parents or a lone parent need to earn the equivalent of 16 hours pay at minimum wage (about £115) a week. However, a couple may still be eligible if one parent is unable to work and receives any of the following:
• Carer’s Allowance
• Employment and Support Allowance
• Incapacity Benefit
• Severe Disablement Allowance
• National Insurance Credits because of incapacity or limited capability to work
• or if they have been assessed as having limited capability for work for Universal Credit purposes.
The other parent in the couple still has to earn that minimum threshold. A lone parent unable to work would not be eligible, but they still get the universal 15 hours a week.
The Prevention and Early Intervention Team at Sheffield City Council is urging all parents to apply for the “30 Hours” offer as soon as possible, because applications completed after the end of August won’t get the extra hours until January.
Parents who need assistance to apply for the 30 Hours can call 0300 123 4097.
If parents need help applying for the 2 year offer they can do that with their chosen provider or call the Early Intervention team on 0114 2813785.
More information and the links to apply can be found on the Sheffield Directory website.
