Funded Places
Please see the below information for funded places at Sarratt Ducklings Pre School.
For Grants
Duckling’s applies for grants from Hertfordshire County Council to cover some or all of the session fees for each term.
Childcare Support for working families (2, 3 and 4 year olds)
Parents apply by creating a gateway account and completing the HMRC eligibility checker on Childcare Choices.
Before accepting a child for a place using this entilement, check they have a valid eligibility code in the Early Years portal.
Below is a guide to when a code should be applied for and when a child can start using the entitlement:
| If a child turns 2 or 3 between… | Eligibility code applied for by… | Entitlement can be used from… |
|---|---|---|
| 1 January – 31 March | 28 February | 1 April |
| 1 April – 31 August | 31 July | 1 September |
| 1 September – 31 December | 30 November | 1 January |
Parents must reconfirm eligibility every 3 months to ensure the code is still eligible. However, if reconfirmation is missed or the parent falls out of eligibility then a grace period end date will be shown.
If a child is in their grace period, the code is only able to be used at the current setting. They cannot use this at a new setting whilst it is in the grace period.
Providers will receive an email to notify them a child on their funding return is in their grace period. If the parent has forgotten to reconfirm, then they will have until the end of the grace period reconfirm.
Once the grace period date has expired, the child can continue to access the 15 hours Childcare Support for 3 and 4 year olds. No code is needed to access this entitlement.
The local authority cannot be held responsible if the national eligibility checker declares that the parent is not eligible. The parent must contact the HMRC helpline on 0300 123 4097 if a parent wishes to speak about their application.
Sarratt Ducklings is also able to offer the full 30 hours funded places for 3 and 4 year old’s and the 15 hour funded places for 2 year old’s. Please see the Hertfordshire website for further information and to check the eligibility criteria. www.hertfordshire.gov.uk