Frequently asked questions
Childcare for children under 5
How do I choose a childcare provider?

  • Give yourself plenty of time and visit several early years providers.
  • Ask lots of questions and talk to other parents and staff.
  • Make sure you understand how the early years provider offers the childcare support sessions and that they offer them at the time that suits you – look at the fees and funding section of their website for more details.
  • Make sure you understand if your place is completely free or if you will be charged for additional hours or services. Ask them to put this in writing so that you have a record to keep. If anything is unclear, ask them to explain what they mean before you agree to take up the place.
  • If you already pay for your child to attend a setting, the days and times the childcare support sessions are offered, may be different.
  • Make sure you ask how the setting offers childcare support sessions for your child. They may be at different times from how they offer the sessions for other age groups.
  • Think about whether you want your child to attend 15 (or 30) hours a week during term time only, or whether you want to spread your hours across the year.
  • Ask to see a copy of the early years provider’s terms and conditions.

Where can children take up their place?

Most Ofsted registered childcare providers in Brighton & Hove offer the funded childcare. You can search for Ofsted registered childcare providers that offer places on this directory. 

Funded childcare support cannot be backdated, so you will lose any of the hours that you do not use. If your chosen provider has a waiting list, or is unable to offer you a place, you can contact Family Hubs who can help you to find another childcare provider

How will my child’s place be offered?

There are limits set by the government about how the place can be offered:

  • No session can be longer than 10 hours
  • Sessions must not start before 6am or finish after 8pm
  • A maximum of two single sites in one day
You should discuss with each provider how they will spread the hours over the week. Some offer specific packages; others may be more flexible.

Can parents take more or fewer hours over the year?

You do not have to take any of the childcare support hours if you don’t want to, or you can take fewer hours if you wish.

If you need additional hours, you will have to pay for them. Help towards the cost is available, if you are eligible, through Universal Credit. Alternatively, you may be eligible for Tax-Free Childcare.

Childcare providers will offer funded childcare support places in different ways and they may restrict the number of places that they offer. You may not necessarily be able to get all your hours with one provider. For example, some providers are open term time only or will chose not to offer places over holidays.

Can the childcare support hours be split between more than one provider?

Yes. You can split your hours between a maximum of 2 providers per day, as long as you don’t exceed your entitlement of 570 or 1140 hours per year.

Some providers give priority to children who want to take up their full entitlement with that provider.

Can I use a childcare provider in a neighbouring local authority?

Yes. You can decide which childcare provider is best for your child depending on the vacancies available and your circumstances.

Will I have to pay anything?

You can ask for your funded childcare support hours only. Childcare providers may offer them at certain times of the day or week. You may have to pay a small deposit which will be refunded when your child starts. Providers will charge for food and other consumables (eg. meals, snacks, nappies, suncream) and extra services such as trips and yoga. Families should be given the choice not to purchase these extras, if they only want their funded childcare support hours.

Your childcare provider should give you information about charges and these should also be clearly set out on your invoice. Childcare providers can decide their own charges for paid sessions and consumables, and sessions which include some funded hours, but should publish these on their website.
If you are having difficulty finding a childcare provider that can offer you just your funded hours, contact Family Hubs.

What information is shown on my invoice?

You should discuss your requirements with the childcare provider before taking up a place.
This should include clarifying any additional charges they may include in your bill.

If you have any queries about your invoice, speak to your childcare provider in the first
instance. They should explain how the charges have been worked out and how they are charging
you for any extra hours, consumables or services.
Keep a note of any discussions that you have and if you still feel the situation is unresolved, contact Family Hubs.

Can I use more than one type of childcare support?

Yes. Childcare Choices can advise you of the types of support that are available to you and which you can combine.

For example, you can also apply for Tax-Free Childcare or Universal Credit childcare. (You cannot use both of these at the same time.) You may be able to use these other forms of support to help pay for childcare that is not covered through the entitlements.

For example, you can use it to help pay for any additional hours, or to pay for a nanny if your nanny has registered on the Voluntary part of the General Childcare Register. It can also be used to pay for certain additional services that are charged by your provider. 

What is the notice period?

If you want to leave your childcare provider, they may require you to give a notice period. The
notice period for any sessions which include funded childcare support, will be in the contract with
your provider, and should not exceed one month.

How will I know my child is safe and well cared for?

All early years providers are registered with Ofsted which carries out inspections to make sure that
the premises are safe and that staff are suitably qualified and trained to look after your child.

You can ask to see the early years provider’s Ofsted report when you visit, or you can view reports
Although it is important to look at Ofsted reports, it is equally important that you find out as much as you can about an early years provider before making a decision.

How can I help my child settle in?

You should think about arranging settling in sessions with your childcare provider. This will give
you and your child the opportunity to get to know the environment and staff. Short sessions are
best to begin with, and you can stay with your child for the first few sessions until they are familiar
with their surroundings.

When does the childcare support end?

Most children start reception class in school, the September after their fourth birthday. For more information about applying for school and school start dates, contact the School Admissions team: Apply for school (brighton-hove.gov.uk)

What is Early Years Pupil Premium?

The Early Years Pupil Premium is additional funding for your provider to support children whose families get certain benefits. Its purpose is to enhance learning and development support for children, ultimately improving their outcomes.

You can find out more about this on GOV.UK at Get extra funding for your early years provider.










For all other queries please contact familyhubs@brighton-hove.gov.uk or call 01273 293545