All children are entitled to receive the Nursery Grant for six terms, commencing in the term after a child’s third birthday and finishing in the term of a child’s fifth birthday. All children are eligible for a free place of 15 hours per week for 38 weeks of the year. This is a total of 570 hours over the year. These are called universal hours. The place starts from 1 September, 1 January or 1 April after your child’s third birthday.
Forest Park offers the standard free entitlement of 15 hours per week. We provide a Prep package and Prep Plus package in our Early Years setting. The Prep package covers the nursery grant sessions and the Prep Plus package is provided at an additional charge. A timetable detailing these school sessions is available upon request.
The free entitlement can be claimed at a private day nursery, preschool playgroup, nursery unit of an independent school or at an accredited childminder. The entitlement can only be claimed at a provider who is in Trafford’s Directory of Early Education Providers.
If your child starts at a provider after the closing date for applications, it may be possible to still apply for the free entitlement. This will be allocated based on the number of weeks left in the term in which the child starts and then the full entitlement, as appropriate, for any remaining terms in the academic year. You will need to contact the Nursery Education Officer on 0161 912 1053 to make arrangements for this.
Parents must apply directly to Trafford Council. To claim the free entitlement for your child you must submit an individual parent declaration form indicating at which childcare provider you wish to access your entitlement. For further details please visit trafford.gov.uk/earlyeducation
The form comprises a yearly contract. To ensure you receive funding, Trafford should receive your application before the beginning of the relevant term. You should receive an instant notification that your application has been received. A letter of confirmation should be sent by email within ten working days.
Just for your information, working parents may be entitled to an additional 15 hours per week. These are called extended hours. Eligibility and application details can also be found at www.trafford.gov.uk/earlyeducation
Please note that as per the terms and conditions of admission, a full term’s notice is required to withdraw your child from school. If a full term’s notice is not received, a full term’s fees in lieu of notice will be required.
If you have any queries regarding the payment of school fees please contact the School Office who can put you in touch with our Finance department.
