Fees and Funding

Free Childcare hours

 

All children are eligible for 570 hours of free childcare a year from the term after they turn 3. This is equal to 15 hours a week over 38 weeks (a standard school year). We send home a form to be completed in time for you to start claiming after your child turns 3. If you have any questions about completing the form, please ask.

Some children are eligible for 570 hours of free childcare (15 hours a week) from the term after they turn 2.To be eligible, parents can be in receipt of certain benefits such as Universal Credit, Income Support, tax credits, JSA, ESA. This funding is also available for children who receive Disability Living Allowance, are looked after by the council, or under a special guardianship or adoption order, or have a statement of SEN or EHCP. If you are uncertain whether this applies to you, please come and talk to us – many people do not realise that they qualify and so miss out.

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Some children are eligible for another 570 hours a year, or 30 hours a week across the school year from the term after they turn 3. For this both parents need to be in work and earning at least the National Minimum Wage for 16 hours a week (there are different rules if you are self-employed or just started a business), but both earning less than £100,000. In order to claim this you need to apply for an eligibility code which must be confirmed each term.

These hours can be shared with up to 3 other providers, though this needs to be clear on your form so we can ensure the funding is correctly allocated.

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Some childcare providers offer childcare over 51 weeks a year. This is known as “stretched” and works out as 11 hours a week across the year. As we are only open for 39 weeks of the year, this does not apply to Overton Preschool Playgroup.

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We accept childcare vouchers, available from some employers, from all providers (Note: this Government scheme is no longer open to new applicants) as well as Tax Free Childcare payments (see below).

 

All free childcare hours used at Overton Preschool Playgroup incur no additional charges - with the exception of a one off registration fee of £50. This includes 2 visits for the child and parent/ carer once a place has been confirmed. 

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As per our fees policy (available on website), there are some situations where a child can attend Overton Preschool Playgroup for more than 38 weeks in a year, though funding is only available for 38. This could be due to sharing hours with another provider, or other reasons. If this will apply to you, you will be notified and invoiced at the start of the relevant term.

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Tax Free Childcare

 

This is a government scheme for:

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• working families, including the self-employed

• Earning under £100k and at least £131 per week (equal to 16 hours at the National Minimum or Living Wage) each

• Who aren't receiving Tax Credits, Universal Credit or childcare vouchers from an employer.

• With children aged 0-11 (or 0-16 if disabled)

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For every £8 you pay into the online account, the government will add an extra £2, up to £2000 per child per year. This replaces the Childcare voucher scheme which used to be available through your employer.

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This can be used all year round to spend on regulated childcare, such as:

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• Childminders, nurseries and nannies

• Before and after-school clubs and holiday clubs

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