Guide to Nursery Education Grant (NEG) in Tameside

• What is Nursery Education Grant?
• What will Nursery Education Grant fund?
• When can my child start receiving the grant?
• What are the benefits for my child?
• How do I get a place for my child?
• Do I have to apply for funding?
• How does the funding work?
• Frequently Asked Questions

What is Nursery Education Grant?

Once a child reaches the age of 3 they are entitled to receive a free part time nursery education place.

Parents have a choice of where to send their child and can choose for their child to receive their nursery education from either a:-

• Private Day Nursery
• Pre-School or playgroup
• Independent School
• Children's Centre
• Accredited Childminder
• School Nursery

However, not every provider in Tameside is registered to offer a nursery education place, they have to be included on the Tameside Directory of Providers.

What will Nursery Education Grant fund?

It will fund up to a maximum of 5 sessions per week, each session lasting 2 and a half hours.

You could also choose for your child to take their grant at two different settings, this is ok as long as the total amount does not exceed 5 sessions a week.

The total amount of sessions you may receive could vary from term to term, but from summer to the following spring term the maximum number of weeks you can receive grant is 38 weeks a year.

See the table below to show how many sessions of grant your child could have each term from summer 2008 to spring 2009.

When can my child start receiving the grant?

Your child can start the term after their 3rd birthday. For example if your child is 3 in the January they can start in the summer term which starts in April. Once started your child can continue until they start full time school.

Term dates are:-

• Spring Term 1st Jan -31st Mar
• Summer Term 1st Apr - 31st Aug
• Autumn Term 1st Sept - 31st Dec

What are the benefits for my child?

It is an exciting time for children as they learn through play based activities to become more independent and develop their own identity. Research has shown it helps them acquire the skills they need to make good progress at school.

How do I get a place for my child?

As a parent/carer you can decide where you would like your child to go (subject to availability), for more information about what is available in your area, or help to find a place please ring the Families Information Service on 0161 342 5434 and they will send you a booklet containing all the eligible settings.

You should contact the provider of your choice as soon as possible in case they have a waiting list for places.

Do I have to apply for funding?

No, your nursery education grant provider will do this for you, each term you will be asked to sign a form to say that you are not claiming more than 5 sessions per week in total.

You will also be asked to show evidence of your child's date of birth, e.g. birth certificate.

How does the funding work?

The Children's Centre and Extended Schools team will pay the grant monies directly to your nursery education provider.

We make an early payment to them to ensure they have funds available at the start of each term.

The nursery education place is free and parents should not be expected to pay fees up-front for it. You may be charged for any additional childcare your child has over and above the 5 free sessions.

Your nursery education provider may choose to provide your free part time place:-

• Free of charge or
• Alternatively they will reduce or reimburse your fees by the cost of a nursery education place. This must be done monthly/weekly with your usual nursery fees or at the start of each term.

Frequently Asked Questions:

If my child doesn't attend 5 sessions, can they still claim the grant?

Yes they can and we will reduce the grant accordingly e.g. if your child attends 3 sessions per week we will pay 3/5 ths of the grant.

Can I have more than one nursery education session in one day?

Yes, you can have up to a maximum of 2 sessions in a day as long as there is at least an hours gap in between e.g. if your child attends 3 full days at a private day nursery, they will qualify for all 5 sessions.

My child goes to a Local Education Authority nursery for 2 mornings a week and a playgroup 5 afternoons. Can I still claim any nursery education grant?

Yes you can also claim up to 3 sessions per week at the playgroup, assuming it is registered on the directory and providing you don't claim any more than 5 per week in total.

What happens if my child needs to move to a different nursery and leaves early?

You will need to tell your existing nursery provider who will contact the Children's Centre and Extended Schools team so we can work out how much grant to pay up till the date your child leaves.

If your child moves to a new provider, in certain circumstances we can transfer the remainder of the grant.

Where can I get further information?

Contact Information
Send us a Message	Children's Centres and Extended Schools Tameside MBC Council Offices Wellington Road Ashton under Lyne Lancs OL6 6DL View local map
0161 342 2930/2384/2645
0161 342 2649