Is your child aged 3 or 4?
If so, your child is entitled to up to 5 x 2.5 hour free early education sessions per week for 38 weeks per year.
Is my child eligible?
Your child becomes eligible for the grant in the term following their 3rd birthday & they will continue to receive the grant up until they begin statutory education.
- If your child's birthday falls between 1 January and 31 March (Spring Term) they will become eligible for the grant from 1 April (Summer Term).
- If your child's birthday falls between 1 April and 31 August (Summer Term) they will become eligible for the grant from 1 September (Autumn Term).
- If your child's birthday falls between 1 September and 31 December (Autumn Term) they will become eligible for the grant from 1 January (Spring Term).
How does my child qualify?
Your child must:
- be attending either a private day nursery, playgroup, pre-school group or independent school who are registered with Darlington Early Years Service and who provide early education for children aged 3 & 4 years.
- be attending your chosen setting on the 'headcount' date. This is usually the third Thursday in each new school term.
How do I apply?
- Your provider will apply on your behalf however, you will be asked to sign a form to declare whether your child is attending another early education setting either in Darlington or in an other Authority.
How do I receive the grant?
- The grant is paid to the provider. If your child is only attending the setting for 5 x 2.5 hour early education sessions then you should not be asked to pay anything. However, if you are purchasing additional services then the provider will pass the grant onto you in the form of reduced fees.
How is the grant allocated?
- The grant is allocated depending on the number of sessions your child attends (totalling no more than 5).
- If your child attends more than 1 setting, each provider will receive a proportionate amount of the grant. You cannot choose which provider will receive the grant.
- If your child attends a LEA nursery school/unit for any number of sessions the grant is allocated to the school.
Contact the Children's Information Service on 0800 917 2121 or email: cis@darlington.gov.uk for the providers who are eligible to access the grant or visit the Childcare Link website