Bin collections

Residents who are due to have brown bins emptied on Friday 22 November should leave these out for collection as normal. If we are unable to empty your brown bin, we will attempt to return next week. For more information, visit our Missed bins page.

Funded early learning childcare

About funded early learning childcare

There are several different early learning childcare funding offers for children aged 9 month and over. You can use these childcare funded offers at a day nursery, maintained nursery, pre-school playgroup or with a childminder.

Early learning childcare encourages your child to:

learn
play
make new friends
experience new activities
prepare for their next steps.

It can also help you:

have more time
take up a college course
go back to work
meet other parents
get ideas of how to help your child play and learn.

The Department of Education has shared a frequently asked questions document with the main things parents need to know about early learning childcare.

Steff, from Laurel’s Childcare Company, explains the new Government-funded hours for working families, how to apply, and other information you will need to help you access funded childcare.

Are these funded early learning places totally free?

Your child's place using the funded early learning childcare offers is funded by the Government, however other costs could be:

your child's lunch
a registration or administration fee
extra hours due to the models offers by the provider and your child’s pattern of attendance.

We recommend that these extras are confirmed in writing before you take up your child's place and itemised on the invoice your provider gives you. Some providers may let you bring a packed lunch if the cost of their lunch is a barrier to you taking a place.

What should I do if I think I’m being charged for a funded place?

Always speak to your provider first and ask them to explain the charges they are making. If you’re still worried, please email the Families Information Service at fis@derby.gov.uk with the following information:

what you agreed with the provider in your contract
what you are being charged - the team may need to see a copy of an invoice
how many hours a week your child spends with that provider.

Why do funded early learning places stop at the age of five?

Legally, the term after your child turns five; they should be in full-time education. In Derby, schools generally take in children in September. The funded early learning places can be paid up until the term your child turns five. Once your child starts school, they will stop being able to take up any funded early learning places.