Early Years Education for Looked After Children

Two-year-old children who are Looked After Children or have left care through special guardianship, adoption order or residence order are eligible for up to 15 hours of early education and childcare funded by the government each week for 38 weeks a year. This can be taken with registered early years providers (including childminders), schools and nursery schools. Social Workers will be able to advise you of the current arrangements.

All three and four-year-old children in England are currently entitled to 15 hours of early education and childcare funded by the government each week for 38 weeks a year (known as universal funding). In addition to the universal 15 hours of government funding, some families may be entitled to claim an extra 15 hours of childcare per week bringing the total to 30 hours. This is known as Extended Entitlement government funding which has its own set of requirements that foster carers will need to meet and needs to be agreed as part of the child’s care plan.

To receive Early Years Pupil Premium (EYPP), the child must be 3 or 4 years old and be receiving government funded early education with an Early Years provider (including childminders) or school. The Early Years provider will use this funding to support and help improve outcomes for that child and foster carers are welcome to make suggestions. The EYPP is paid on the universal 15 hours funding only. 

This funding should not be used to solely benefit educational outcomes.

A foster carer can apply for these funded places through the Families Information Service. Tel: 01609 533483, email: fis.information@northyorks.gov.uk or visit: www.northyorks.gov.uk/nyfamilies.

Imagination Library

The Imagination Library is a literacy scheme that the Virtual School can access.

All LAC children aged between 0 and 5 who are registered on to the scheme will receive a book through the post every month for them to keep.

If a child is registered and attends your setting then we can register the setting too. The setting will receive the books at the same time as the child and help to promote working in partnership with parents and or carers.

For more information on the support the Virtual School can provide please contact us by Email: virtualschool@northyorks.gov.uk or Telephone: 01609 533231 

Useful resources and further guidance