EY funding in Reception class

[Enidblyton1]

Question for anyone with DC entering Reception class at a private school this September..

Does your school offer the EY funding to reduce your fees until your child turns 5?

Thanks all

The funding stops when the child starts reception.

Thanks for your reply! Are you 100% definite about that? Can’t find it online anywhere. Our school used to offer it, but stopped in 2017 when the 30 hours came in.

I got an email from HMRC this week saying my 30 hours was about to end as DS is starting school. He starts reception next month.

Thanks Hotchips, sounds pretty definite then.

The above is incorrect. The funding stops when your child reaches compulsory school age, which is 1st January for children born September to end December, 1st April for children born January to March and not till 1st September of year1 for those born April to August. So all children can continue to get the early years grant for the autumn term of reception, and some children can get it for Spring and summer too.

However, if a child starts reception at a state school, the early years funding is subsumed into the general school funding.

If your child goes to a private school that is registered for the early years funding (generally only if they have an attached pre-school) then yes they can get the funding and discount it off your fees. Not all do though as the funding is a pittance and the bureaucracy makes it more trouble than it's worth.

My daughter will be 5 in March-she starts reception at a private school in September. They accept the 15 hrs but not the 30hrs. We’ve applied for it as we might as well really! Was just 1 form to complete (which, in the context of a gazillion name tapes to sew on and 5(!) hats to source, was nothing).

In my case, eldest started private school in September a few years ago, and got funding for one term. The school arranged the paperwork for us parents to sign.

My next child is starting the same school in a few weeks, and we have already had the paperwork through from school to sign, so that school gets the EY funding for them. This child will get three terms worth of funding, as birthday much later in academic year.

The school does not have a pre-school, it starts in reception year and goes through to 18. It is a nice saving to have for the first term or so of fees, approx £750 off the fees per term if I remember rightly from last time around.

Thanks all.
Vino and Orange, that is very interesting. So it is still possible after all.

Our DTD's start in reception at a private school this September and we will receive the EY funding for this coming term (Autumn birthday). As per a PP it's about £750 each.

Thanks FlamingoMingo, I’ve pm’ed you and the others who are receiving funding