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Family Information e-Newsletter Summer 2023   

Finding childcare and financial support

If you are working and using an Ofsted registered childcare provider check if you’re eligible for Tax-Free Childcare

You can get up to £500 every 3 months for each of your children to help with the costs of childcare. It can also be used to help pay for after school clubs and play schemes. Use this calculator to find out how much you could get towards approved childcare.

Frequently asked questions about funded early education and childcare

Q1. I have completed a check online for 2-year-old funding, it says I am not eligible, but I am receiving universal credit
A.  If you haven’t already done so, please upload a full copy of your most recent universal credit statement and allow 3 working days for the Family Information team to process this manually. If after checking the statement your income is above the threshold you will receive a result of ‘Not Found’. You can apply again when you receive your next universal credit statement if your household income has reduced.

Q2. I have been online to try and set up an account to apply for 2-year-old funding, but it will not accept my details.
A. You may already have an existing account if you have previously applied for a school admissions place or free school meals. Try logging in to your existing account and if you have forgotten your password request a token to reset it. Your username will be your email address. 

Q3. I would like to enrol my child into a nursery near us, please can you help
A. Try searching online using the Norfolk Community Directory for a pre-school setting near you, you will find all their contact details to enable you to make contact and ask about availability. 

Q4. I'm trying to apply for 2-year-old funding but it comes up with an error message of pending-keep checking
A. You need to check again in 10 days’ time and submit a full copy of your most recent universal credit statement if you haven't already done so. Please allow a further 3 working days for Family Information to check the documentation. 

Q5. My child is in receipt of 2-year-old funding, but I'm now going back to work, will my child still get the funding?
A. Once a child is in receipt of 2-year-old funding, even if circumstances change, they will not lose their funding

Q6. Some parents don't have internet access so how can they apply for funding?
A. Parents can contact their chosen nursery provider for support in applying for funded childcare.

Q7. I'm a foster parent and would like to apply for 30 hours funding, but I'm unsure how to do this
A. You need to speak to your social worker so that a form can be completed by them with you.

Q8. We don’t qualify for two-year-old funding, is there any other help we can get?
A. You can set up an online account Sign in to your childcare account - GOV.UK and apply for tax-free childcare which will save money on approved childcare. This is not available to those in receipt of universal credit. 

Early childhood and family service (ECFS)

Norfolk’s Early Childhood and Family Service offers support for all parents and carers with children aged 0 to 5 years.

To get in touch . . .
🌐 Fill in the online form tinyurl.com/ecfshelp and tick yes for support
📧 Email ecfs-families@actionforchildren.org.uk
📞 Call 0344 800 8020 (option 5)

Funded early education and childcare for working parents of 3 and 4 year olds

Working parents of 3 and 4 year-olds may be entitled to 30 hours of funded childcare and early education per week, for 38 weeks of the year if certain criteria is met. This is known as the Extended Offer.
  • You do not have to use the full 30 hours each week
  • Childcare providers may allow you to spread the funded hours across the year if they are open all year round.
  • Families should check with their chosen provider that this method of payment is accepted
  • You can claim up to 30 funded hours between up to three providers – but you cannot claim hours at more than two providers in a day

Please note

  • You can apply for the current 30 hours for three- and four-year-olds from when your child is 2 years and 36 weeks old,
  • You will continue to receive 30 hours funded early education and childcare if your code remains valid.
  • You need to reconfirm you are eligible every 3 months, from your account - you will be reminded 4 weeks before the deadline.

Eligibility criteria: To check the full eligibility criteria and to apply visit the Childcare Choices website. If you do not have access to the internet, you can call the HMRC Childcare Service helpline on 0300 123 4097. If you have any further questions about 30 hours funded childcare, contact the Norfolk Family Information Service

Childcare expansion plan update

Childcare support is expanding, with significant changes coming to 30 hours free childcare in England and Universal Credit childcare offers in England, Scotland and Wales. 

Click here for more details

SEND Local Offer for children and young people in Norfolk

Sign up to SEND newsletters for the latest news and developments in Norfolk.

Family Information – Our Customer Charter

We are committed to providing you with the best possible service - as such you can expect the following from us:

When you are using our website and self-service options, we will
• Make it easy for you to find access our services and follow our processes
• Have an accessible and useable portal and web page, with up to date information.

When you telephone us, we will
• Answer your calls promptly, or when you leave us a message, within 3 working days
• Provide you with our name and Service when answering the phone
• Be available for you by phone, 9am to 5pm Monday to Thursday and 9am to 4.30pm on Fridays
• Advise you of services and information from our portal and web pages relevant to the nature of your enquiry
• Where necessary, pass your enquiry on to another team, ensuring that your details and the nature of the enquiry are passed on, so that you do not have to repeat yourself.

When you write to us, we will
• Respond to your email or enquiry within 3 working days and ensure that you know who to contact if you require more information
• Be available for you via our digital channels 24 hours a day 7 days a week.
• Respond to your email within 3 working days and ensure that you know who to contact if you require more information
• Where we are unable to resolve your query within the timescales stated above, we will advise you of this and provide detail of when a response will be provided.

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