Early Years

🧒 Early Years Childcare Entitlements

From September 2025, families and carers in England will benefit from expanded government-funded childcare support. This includes new entitlements for children from 9 months old, as well as continued support for 2, 3, and 4 year-olds.

👶 From 9 Months Old

If you live and work in England you may be entitled to 30 hours funded childcare per week (for 38 weeks a year), starting the term after the child you care for turns 9 months old, until they start school.

Children in care may also be eligible for this support if their foster carers are employed outside of fostering and meet the income criteria.

🧒 From 2 Years Old

All two-year-old children in care are entitled to 15 hours of funded early education and childcare per week (for 38 weeks a year), regardless of the foster carers’ employment status.

This can be accessed through:

• ✅ Registered early years providers
• ✅ Childminders
• ✅ Nursery schools
• ✅ School-based nurseries

Eligibility begins the term after the child’s second birthday, following this schedule:

🧒 Funded Early Learning & Childcare Eligibility (Age 2)

 🎓 From 3 Years Old – Universal Funding

All three- and four-year-old children in England are entitled to 15 hours of funded early education and childcare per week (for 38 weeks a year). This is known as universal funding.

Some families may also be eligible for an additional 15 hours, bringing the total to 30 hours per week.

💡 Early Years Pupil Premium (EYPP)

Children below statutory school age are eligible for EYPP+ funding, which currently amounts to £570 per year. This amount is distributed in three termly instalments and is paid by the local authority where the child is educated. Eligibility criteria are as follows:

• From 9 months of age, if the child is attending nursery and their foster carers qualify for nursery funding.
• From the term after the child turns 2 years old, provided they are attending nursery. 

EYPP funding goes directly to the early years provider to help improve outcomes for the child. Foster carers are encouraged to share suggestions on how this funding can be used to support the child’s development.

📞 How to Access Free Childcare

To check eligibility and access any of the childcare options above:

1. Speak to your social worker
2. Contact the Virtual School to process your free childcare codes

Our Early Years Lead is here to help with any queries.

☎️ Phone: 01223 699883
📧 Email: virtualschool@cambridgeshire.gov.uk

🏫 Applying for a Primary School Place

Most children start school full-time in the September after their fourth birthday, meaning they’ll turn five during their first school year.

📅 Key Dates

• Applications open: September
• Deadline to apply: January

You’ll need to apply the year before your child is due to start school.

👉 Apply for a school place: Apply for a school place | Cambridgeshire County Council

🧩 Children with Additional Needs

• If your child does not have an EHCP, follow the standard admissions process
• If your child has an EHCP, your SEN Casework Officer will guide you through the application

🎒 Preparing for the Move to Reception

Starting school is a big milestone! With thoughtful planning, children can feel confident and ready.

🏫 School Transition Visits

All schools—including special schools—offer transition visits in the summer term before children start Reception. These visits help children:

• Explore their new classroom and surroundings
• Learn where key facilities are (like toilets and cloakrooms)
• Meet teachers and classmates
• Understand daily routines

🌟 Extra Support for Children in Care

Children in care, previously in care, or those with additional needs may benefit from: 

• Individual or extra visits
• Personalised transition plans
• Support from the Designated Teacher and SENDCo

📞 Contact the school directly to arrange additional support.

🧰 Getting Ready for Change Toolkit

Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Children’s Health have created a fantastic resource called Getting Ready for Change, this toolkit includes:

• ✅ A development questionnaire
• ✅ Links to advice and support
• ✅ Guidance for key transitions

👉  Children & Young People's Health Services

🌱 Supporting School Readiness Through Independence

Helping children build independence early supports a smooth transition into school.

Why Independence Matters

It’s about:

• Making choices
• Solving problems
• Feeling proud of achievements

Developmentally Appropriate Support

It’s important that the independence we encourage is safe and suitable for each child’s stage of development. This means:

• Offering tasks that match their abilities.
• Providing gentle guidance and encouragement.
• Celebrating effort, not just outcomes.

The Characteristics of Effective Learning

These characteristics describe the behaviours children use to explore, play, and learn. They include:

• Playing and exploring – trying new things and being curious.
• Active learning – persisting with challenges and enjoying achievements.
• Creating and thinking critically – making decisions and solving problems.

By nurturing these behaviours, we help children take their first steps toward independence.

Everyday Strategies

• Give children time to complete tasks on their own—even if it takes a little longer.
• Model tasks instead of doing them for the child. Show them how, then let them try.
• Use clear, simple instructions to help children understand what’s expected.
• Encourage decision-making by offering choices (e.g., “Would you like the red cup or the blue one?”).
• Celebrate effort to build confidence and motivation.

Please see the useful documents below on Supporting Independence and Supporting School Readiness to find out more about how to help the child you care for.

 📚 Free Books for Children in Care – Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library

Facilitated by the Cambridgeshire Virtual School, this scheme provides free books to children in care aged 0 to 5. 

• 📦 A new book every month
• 🏠 Delivered directly to the child’s home
• 📖 Published by Penguin Random House
• ✅ Selected by early literacy experts

📝 How to Register

If you support a child in care who is eligible, contact: virtualschool@cambridgeshire.gov.uk 

📄 Useful Resources

Funded hours for eligible 2 year olds - Cambridgeshire County Council

Free childcare for eligible working parents for children aged from 9 months and above in foster care