Early Years Sufficiency & Business Support team

We make sure there are sufficient early years and childcare places for children aged 0–14 (or up to 18 for disabled children). This means we support schools, childminders and private, voluntary and independent settings to set up and expand provision. The team includes Early Years Business Support Officers who can advise on business planning and making your provision financially viable, and the Early Years Funding Officers who administer the payments.

Thirty Hours Childcare

You will probably know that 30 Hours funded childcare is being introduced from this September for eligible families with three and four year olds.

In Warwickshire, we already have a number of schools who are interested in being part of this offer, either by delivering these places directly themselves, or by working in partnership with another setting or local childminder. For example, you may have children attending your nursery class for either a morning or afternoon session – some of these children may be entitled to 30 Hours per week instead of the standard 15 hours, and you could share the hours with another provider.

We will be organising sessions for schools in the autumn term so that you can get some more information.

We have sent all schools with nursery classes a 30 Hours Update Newsletter (with a picture of our friendly 30 Hours caterpillar) in the last few days – please look out for this as it contains up to date information for those of you who will be starting to deliver the offer in September. Please note that if parents wish to access their 30 Hours place in September, they need to apply and have their eligibility confirmed now – they cannot wait until September. They can apply online at www.childcarechoices.gov.uk.

Decisions about eligibility are made by HMRC who administer the application process, and they can be contacted on 0300 123 4097. The Early Years Funding Team will deal with the payments for the additional hours, and the Business Support Officers will help with queries around how to structure sessions and plan for delivery. You can contact them at schools30hours@warwickshire.gov.uk.