Introduction

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Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) refers to the 0-5 years of a child’s development and sets standards for the learning, development and care of your child from birth to 5 years old. You can find out more about the early years foundation stage at www.gov.uk/early-years-foundation-stage

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Under this section you can find information about childcare funding, Ofsted and the different childcare options available to you on the islands. Including information on pre-school playgroups and Family Scilly services.

 

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Childcare funding

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2 year old funding for children with special educational needs and disabilities:

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Currently the Isles of Scilly Council offers 2 year old funding for up to 380 hours to all. However your child could access up to 570 hours of early years funding in any Ofsted rated ‘good’ or ‘outstanding’ childcare providers if your child gets disability living allowance or your child has an Education, Health and Care (EHC) Plan. You can find out more at www.gov.uk/help-with-childcare-costs/free-childcare-and-education-for-2-to-4-year-olds

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You can use your funding either:

• Up to 15 hours per week over 38 weeks of the year (term time only)

• You can use the funding to cover childcare provision over the holidays or over the year. For example use 11 hours over 51 weeks of the year. (Please note that you may not receive the full entitlement if you use the stretch option). 

• You can use the hours flexibly, using less hours some weeks and more hours on other weeks

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When does funding start and how do I apply:

On the Isles of Scilly the 2 year old funding starts the day after their second birthday for the universal 380 hour funding but if you are eligible for the 570 hour funding then the extra hours will come into effect from the term after they turn 2.

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To find out more about how to apply for 2 year old funding and to see if you are eligible for the 570 hour funded hours of childcare then contact Children's Services by email: FamilyScilly@scilly.gov.uk telephone: 0300 1234 105 Option 5.

 

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3 to 4 Year old funding

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3 to 4 year old funding is available and starts the term after a child’s 3rd birthday. All 3 to 4 year old's are entitled to 15 hours of free education for 38 weeks of the year. Depending on circumstances such as employment status and whether you are on carers allowance or incapacity benefits then you may be entitled to 30 hours of free education for 28 weeks of the year. To find out more about the different levels of funding and eligibility criteria please contact Children's Services by email: FamilyScilly@scilly.gov.uk telephone: 0300 1234 105 Option 5

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Help with finding and paying for childcare

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Trying to find childcare can be a daunting experience for a parent.  After all, what does make a good childcare provider? How do you know your child will be safe and happy? To help answer these and many other questions you might have, the Family and Childcare Trust have created a step-by-step guide on finding childcare, visit:  www.familyandchildcaretrust.org/five-steps-choosing-childcare

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The cost may also be a factor when considering childcare. Depending on your child’s age and your financial circumstances, there may be support available including tax free childcare or support if in education. You can find out more at:

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• The Council of the Isles of Scilly website:  www.scilly.gov.uk/children/pre-school-primary

• www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/ has more information on childcare funding

• www.gov.uk/tax-free-childcare is a government website explaining tax free childcare

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What is Ofsted?

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Ofsted is the Office for Standards in Education, Children’s Services and Skills. They inspect services providing education and skills for learners of all ages. They also inspect and regulate services that care for children and young people. Ofsted visits childcare providers who are registered with it to ensure that the education and safety of children is being well managed.  Outcomes of these inspections and the grades allocated to a childcare provider can be viewed on the Ofsted website.

 

More information on Ofsted is available at www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted/about 

 

Other types of childcare that support child development in settings and at home.

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The Childcare Act 2006 says childcare is ‘any form of care for a child including education or any other supervised activity’. Not all child carers need to be registered with Ofsted, but if they aren't registered, you cannot use funded hours with them.

 

These are some of the childcare providers that don't have to register:

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• Babysitters

• Nannies and au pairs

• Home educators and home tutors

• Blood relatives caring for a child or children they are related to

• Recreational and sporting activity providers

• Some under 8's crèches, of 4 hours or under with a parent present

• When providing childcare for less than 2 hours per day

• When providing childcare for a friend for up to 3 hours a day for reward

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To find out more about alternative childcare options and signposting to providers contact Children's Services by Email: FamilyScilly@scilly.gov.uk

Telephone: 0300 1234 105 Option 5

 

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Early years foundation stage practitioners and childcare workers

 

The Isles of Scilly Early Years Network consists of early years providers, local authority and family health and they meet every few months to discuss:

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• Training needs and requirements 

• Current and predicted provision and demand

• Developments to early years foundation framework

• Professional support

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If you are an early years provider and want to find out more about this then contact Children's Services by Email: FamilyScilly@scilly.gov.uk

Telephone: 0300 1234 105 Option 5

 

As a childcare provider there are a number of additional sources of funding available to you that you can use to support individual children such as the disability access fund and early years pupil premium, information is available on the www.gov.uk website.

 

Help with Transport

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Information on how the Council of the Isles of Scilly supports transport to access EYFS services can be found on the Council of the Isles of Scilly website:  www.scilly.gov.uk/childrens-services To find out more about off Island transport for early years provision contact Family Scilly by email: FamilyScilly@scilly.gov.uk or telephone: 0300 1234 105 Option 5