The Department for Education has published an operational guidance for the 30hrs free childcare
A new guidance outlining the 30hrs free childcare has been published by the Department for Education for local authorities and childcare providers. It explains what early years providers should do in order to meet the requirements of the funding.
The guidance will also help support parents and children with the 30hrs, showing examples from providers, local authorities and sector organisations.
With regards to the funding, it is down to providers to create their own models, it has advised by local authorities to deliver flexible packages, this would however still need to meet the statutory guidance eg
- not claim more than 10hrs in one session
- no minimum session length (subject to the requirements of registration on the Ofsted Early Years Register)
- Funding not to be used before 6 am or after 8 pm
- Funding can be used at a maximum of two sites in a single day.
The guidance shows examples of how settings can offer the charging models, including reference to how settings can work together with other childcare entitlements. However, there has been criticism that the guidance is still unclear as to what providers can charge for, government need to make this clear for both providers and parents.
Parents are now able to see whether they are eligible for the 30hrs free childcare using the childcare choices website, they will be directed to the digital childcare service where they can apply.