Common use of Charging Clause in Contracts

Charging. Local Authority Swindon Borough Council will make it clear to providers that the government funding is intended to cover the cost to deliver 15 or 30 hours a week of funded, high quality, flexible early education and childcare. It is not intended to cover the cost of meals, consumables, additional hours or additional services. Swindon Borough Council will not intervene where Parents choose to purchase additional hours of provision or additional services, providing that this does not affect the Parent’s ability to take up their child’s funded place. It shall be a matter for Swindon Borough Council to determine at its absolute discretion whether or not the Provider shall be entitled to charge a deposit for funded places if Swindon Borough Council considers that charging a deposit would or would be likely to prevent take up, for example for the two year old entitlement for disadvantaged families. Providers The Provider may charge for meals and snacks as part of a funded early education and childcare place and they can also charge for consumables such as nappies or sun cream and for additional service such as trips. These charges must be voluntary for the Parent. Where Parents are unable or unwilling to pay for meals and consumables, providers who choose to offer the funded entitlements are responsible for setting their own policy on how to respond, with options of waiving or reducing the cost of meals and snacks or allowing Parents to supply their own meals. Providers should be particularly mindful of the impact of additional charges on the most disadvantaged parents. The Provider shall deliver the early education and childcare places consistently so that all children accessing any of the funded entitlements will receive the same quality and access to provision, regardless of whether they opt to pay for optional hours, services, meals or consumables. The provider should publish their admissions criteria and ensure parents understand upon registration which hours/sessions can be taken as funded provision. Not all providers will be able to offer fully flexible places, but providers should work with parents to ensure that as far as possible the pattern of hours are convenient for parents’ working hours. The Provider shall be completely transparent with Parents about any additional charges. Subject to Swindon Borough Council having provided its consent for Providers to do so in the circumstances set out in this agreement, Providers can charge Parents a deposit to secure their child’s funded place, but should refund the deposit in full to Parents within a reasonable timescale which shall be no later than 4 weeks after the date that the funded place is taken up. The Provider shall not charge Parents top up fees (the difference between a provider’s usual fee and the funding received from the Swindon Borough Council) or require Parents to pay a registration fee as a condition of taking up their child’s funded place. The Provider shall not insist Parents pay for additional hours on top of funded early education and childcare hours as a condition of accessing their child’s funded entitlement. The Provider shall ensure that its invoices and receipts are clear, transparent and itemised, allowing Parents to see that they have received their funded entitlement completely funded of charge and understand fees paid for additional hours.

Charging. Local Authority Swindon Borough Council will make it clear to providers that the ‌ The government funding is intended to cover the full cost to deliver 15 or 30 hours a week of funded, high quality, flexible early education and childcare. It is not intended to cover the cost of meals, other consumables, additional hours hours, or additional services. Swindon Borough Council will not intervene where Parents choose to purchase additional hours of provision or additional services, providing that this does not affect the Parent’s ability to take up their child’s funded place. It shall be a matter for Swindon Borough Council to determine at its absolute discretion whether or not the Provider shall be entitled to charge a deposit for funded places if Swindon Borough Council considers that charging a deposit would or would be likely to prevent take up, for example for the two year old entitlement for disadvantaged families. Providers The Provider may can charge for meals and snacks as part of a funded early education and childcare an Early Years Entitlement place and they can also charge for consumables such as nappies or sun cream cream, and for additional service services such as tripstrips and activities. These charges must Parents can therefore be voluntary for the Parent. Where Parents are unable or unwilling expected to pay for meals and consumablesthese, however providers should be mindful of the impact of additional charges on parents, especially the most disadvantaged. Providers, who choose to offer the funded entitlements Early Years Entitlements, are responsible for setting their own policy on how to respond, providing parents with options of for alternatives to additional charges, including allowing parents to supply their own meals or nappies, or waiving or reducing the cost of meals and snacks or allowing Parents to supply their own mealssnacks. Providers should be particularly mindful of ensure that parents are aware that the impact of Early Years Pupil Premium (EYPP) provides additional charges on funding to providers to support eligible children in early years settings, and that Disability Access Funding (DAF) supports eligible, disabled children’s access to the most disadvantaged parentsentitlements. The Provider shall Eligibility for EYPP and DAF is being extended to all children accessing the Early Years Entitlements from 1 April 2024. Providers should deliver the early education and childcare places Early Years Entitlement consistently so that all children accessing any of the funded entitlements will receive the same quality and access to provision, regardless of whether they opt to pay for optional hours, services, meals meals, or consumables. The provider Providers should make all their charges clear in a Fee Structure and ensure that parents are aware of any charges for additional services before they take up their Early Years Entitlement place. Wiltshire Council will not intervene where parents choose to purchase additional hours or additional services, providing this does not affect the parents’ ability to take up their child’s Early Years Entitlement place. Providers should be completely transparent about any additional charges and make these easily available to parents enabling them to make an informed choice of provider. Children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) must be treated fairly and equally with reasonable adjustments made as set out in Sections 20 and 21 of the Equalities Act 2010’. Providers must not charge parents additional fees to support a child with SEND. Providers should publish their admissions criteria ensuring it is clear and ensure parents available to all parents, so they can understand upon registration which hours/sessions hours can be taken as funded Early Years Entitlement provision. Not all providers will be able to offer fully flexible places, but providers should work with parents to ensure that as far as possible the pattern of hours are convenient for parents’ working hours. The Provider shall be completely transparent with Parents about any additional charges. Subject to Swindon Borough Council having provided its consent for Providers to do so in the circumstances set out in this agreement, Providers can charge Parents a refundable deposit to parents accessing the early years entitlements but should also consider if this would prevent take up, especially for disadvantaged families. The charging of a deposit must not be a barrier to secure a child accessing their Early Years Entitlement hours. The purpose of the deposit is to give providers certainty that a parent will take up the place. Wiltshire Council’s recommendation of a reasonable timeframe within which to refund a deposit is the end of a half term or within six weeks of a child’s funded place, but start. Providers should make clear to parents any circumstances in which the provider would not be obliged to refund the deposit in full deposit, e.g., if a parent fails to Parents within a reasonable timescale which shall be no later than 4 weeks after the date that the funded take up their place is taken upwithout sufficient notice. The Provider shall Providers cannot charge Parents top up parents ‘top-up’ fees (the difference between a provider’s usual fee and the funding received they receive from the Swindon Borough CouncilWiltshire Council to deliver Early Years Entitlement places) or require Parents parents to pay a registration fee as a condition of taking up their child’s funded Early Years Entitlement place. The Provider shall not insist Parents pay for additional hours on top of funded early education and childcare hours as a condition of accessing Providers should ensure their child’s funded entitlement. The Provider shall ensure that its invoices and receipts are clear, transparent transparent, and itemised, allowing Parents parents to see that they have received their funded entitlement completely funded of charge full Early Years Entitlement and understand fees paid for additional hours or services. The provider will also ensure that invoices and receipts contain their full details so that they can be identified as coming from a specific provider. The early years entitlement is an entitlement in hours, not a monetary value to be deducted from a childcare provider’s bill or as a discounted item on an invoice.

Charging. Local Authority Swindon Borough Council will make it clear to providers that the The government funding is intended to cover the cost to deliver 15 or 30 hours a week of fundedfree, high quality, flexible early education and childcare. It is not intended to cover the cost of meals, consumables, additional hours or additional services. Swindon Borough Council will not intervene where Parents choose to purchase additional hours of provision or additional services, providing that this does not affect the Parent’s ability to take up their child’s funded place. It shall be a matter for Swindon Borough Council to determine at its absolute discretion whether or not the Provider shall be entitled to charge a deposit for funded places if Swindon Borough Council considers that charging a deposit would or would be likely to prevent take up, for example for the two year old entitlement for disadvantaged families. Providers The Provider may can charge for meals and snacks as part of a funded early education free entitlement place, and childcare place and they can also charge for consumables such as nappies or sun cream cream, and for additional service services such as tripstrips and activities. These charges must be voluntary for the Parentparent and must not be a condition of accessing their free place. Where Parents parents are unable or unwilling to pay for meals and consumables, providers who choose to offer the funded entitlements free entitlement are responsible for setting their own policy on how to respond, with options of including waiving or reducing the cost of meals and snacks or allowing Parents parents to supply their own meals. Providers should be particularly mindful of the impact of additional charges on the most disadvantaged parents. The Provider shall deliver the early education and childcare places free entitlement consistently so that all children accessing any of the funded free entitlements will receive the same quality and access to provision, regardless of whether they opt to pay for optional hours, services, meals or consumables. The provider Providers should publish make their admissions criteria charges clear in a Fee Structure and ensure that parents understand upon registration which hours/sessions can be taken as funded provisionare aware of any charges for additional services before they take up their free place. Not all providers Wiltshire Council will be able not intervene where parents choose to offer fully flexible placespurchase additional hours or additional services, but providers should work with parents to ensure that as far as possible providing this does not affect the pattern of hours are convenient for parents’ working hoursability to take up their child’s free place. The Provider shall Providers should be completely transparent with Parents about any additional charges. Subject to Swindon Borough Council having provided its consent for Providers to do so in the circumstances Children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) must be treated fairly and equally with reasonable adjustments made as set out in this agreementSections 20 and 21 of the Equalities Act 2010’. Providers must not charge parents additional fees to support a child with SEND. Providers should ensure their admissions criteria is clear and available to all parents, so they can understand which hours can be taken as free provision. Providers can charge Parents a deposit to secure their child’s funded place, free place but should must refund the deposit in full to Parents parents within a reasonable time scale. Wiltshire Council deems a reasonable timescale which shall as the end of a half term or within six weeks of a child’s start. However, the charging of a deposit must not be no later than 4 weeks after the date that the funded place is taken upa barrier to a child accessing their free entitlement hours. The Provider shall Providers cannot charge Parents top up parents ‘top-up’ fees (the difference between a provider’s their usual fee and the funding received they receive from the Swindon Borough Council) Wiltshire Council to deliver free places), or require Parents parents to pay a registration fee as a condition of taking up their child’s funded free place. The Provider shall not insist Parents pay for additional hours on top of funded early education and childcare hours as a condition of accessing Providers should ensure their child’s funded entitlement. The Provider shall ensure that its invoices and receipts are clear, transparent and itemised, allowing Parents parents to see that they have received their funded free entitlement completely funded free of charge and understand fees paid for additional hourshours or services. The provider will also ensure that invoices and receipts contain their full details so that they can be identified as coming from a specific provider.

Charging. Local Authority Swindon Borough Council Providers must have a clear and transparent charging policy. This must explain all charges that will make it clear apply whether or not a child is in receipt of a funded place. This is so that a parent or carer can understand what their charges are likely to providers that be if they opt to purchase additional hours or services or if their child who is fee paying then qualifies for a funded place. There can be no conditions applied to an offer of a 2, 3, 4 year old funded place or the government 30 hours extended entitlement funding. Government funding is intended to cover the cost to deliver 15 or 30 hours a week of funded, high quality, flexible early education and childcare. It is not intended to cover the cost of meals, consumables, additional hours or additional services. Swindon Borough Council will Providers can charge for:  meals and snacks as part of a funded place  consumables such as nappies or sun cream  services such as trips A provider cannot charge parents or carers any additional fees specifically for the funded hours delivered over and above that funding received from NCC. These charges must be voluntary for the parent or carer. Where parents or carers are unable or unwilling to pay for meals and consumables, providers who choose to offer the funded places are responsible for setting their own policy on how to respond, with options including waiving or reducing the cost of meals and snacks or allowing parents or carers to supply their own meals/snacks. Children within a setting accessing any of the funded places must receive the same quality and access to provision regardless of whether or not they opt to pay for additional hours, services, meals or consumables. Providers must be clear and transparent and explain fully to parents or carers about the days and times that they offer funded places, along with their services and all other charges. NCC should not intervene where Parents parents or carers choose to purchase additional hours of provision or additional services, providing that this does not affect the Parent’s parents or carers ability to take up their child’s funded place. It shall be a matter for Swindon Borough Council to determine at its absolute discretion whether or not the Provider shall be entitled to charge a deposit for funded places if Swindon Borough Council considers that charging a deposit would or would be likely to prevent take up, for example for the two year old entitlement for disadvantaged families. Providers The Provider may charge for meals and snacks as part of a funded early education and childcare place and they can also charge for consumables such as nappies or sun cream and for additional service such as trips. These charges must be voluntary for the Parent. Where Parents are unable or unwilling to pay for meals and consumables, providers who choose to offer the funded entitlements are responsible for setting their own policy on how to respond, with options of waiving or reducing the cost of meals and snacks or allowing Parents to supply their own meals. Providers should be particularly mindful of the impact of additional charges on the most disadvantaged parents. The Provider shall deliver the early education and childcare places consistently so that all children accessing any of the funded entitlements will receive the same quality and access to provision, regardless of whether they opt to pay for optional hours, services, meals or consumables. The provider should publish their admissions criteria and ensure parents understand upon registration which hours/sessions can be taken as funded provision. Not all providers will be able to offer fully flexible places, but providers should work with parents to ensure that as far as possible the pattern of hours are convenient for parents’ working hours. The Provider shall be completely transparent with Parents about any additional chargescharges and explain these in full to parents or carers. Subject to Swindon Borough Council having provided its consent for Providers to do so in the circumstances set out in this agreement, Providers can charge Parents ask parents or carers for a voluntary deposit to secure their child’s funded place, place but should refund the any deposit in full to parents or carers within 2 weeks of a child starting a funded place. Parents within or carers who do not wish to pay a reasonable timescale which shall voluntary deposit must not be no later than 4 weeks after the date that the funded place is taken updiscriminated against. The Provider shall Providers cannot charge Parents top up parents or carers any form of “top-up” fees (the difference between a provider’s usual fee and the funding received they receive from the Swindon Borough CouncilNCC to deliver funded places) or require Parents parents or carers to pay a registration fee or deposit as a condition of taking up their child’s funded place. The Provider shall There must not be any conditions in taking up a funded place. Providers cannot insist Parents pay for additional hours on top of extra hours, services, lunch clubs are taken up in order to receive a funded early education and childcare hours as a condition of accessing place. Providers must ensure their child’s funded entitlement. The Provider shall ensure that its invoices and receipts receipts;  are clear, transparent and itemised, allowing Parents parents or carers to see that they have received their funded entitlement completely funded of charge place and understand fees paid for additional hourshours  contain their full details so that they can be identified as coming from a specific provider Funding NCC make funding payments based on the information supplied by Providers. Any inaccurate or incomplete submissions of data will result in inaccurate or incomplete payment. Funding Information received after the deadline impacts on funding payments for all providers. NCC cannot guarantee that late information will be processed and paid in line with usual payment dates. Providers agree to:  accurately complete and submit mandatory Headcount Tasks and other necessary data returns by the agreed date to ensure NCC are able to make payment.  reimburse NCC for any overpayment of funding in respect of funded places and any additional funding such as Deprivation, Disability Access Fund (DAF), EYPP and High Needs funding no matter how the overpayment may have occurred; to supply NCC with information requested to allow them to make payments to the Provider for the provision of funded places and the (EYPP). Providers will offer all eligible funded children up to 570 funded hours per child’s year or 1140 hours specifically for the 30 hours funding per child’s year split into 3 Funding Blocks as follows: Summer Funding Block: 1st April to 31st August – to be age eligible for the Xxxxxx Xxxxx a child will need to be 3 years old on or before the 31st March to start a funded place on the 1st April Autumn Block: 1st September to 31st December – to be age eligible for the Autumn Block a child will need to be 3 years old on or before the 31st August to start a funded place on the 1st September Spring Block: 1st January to 31st March – to be age eligible for the Spring Block a child will need to be 3 years old on or before the 31st December to start a funded place on the 1st January A child’s funding year starts the first full funding block following their 2nd Birthday for 2 year funding or their 3rd Birthday for Universal and 30 hours extended funding. In each funding block, NCC set the amount of hours available Summer Funding Block: 242 hours MAXIMUM Autumn Funding Block: 222 hours MAXIMUM Spring Funding Block: 180 hours MAXIMUM It is the responsibility of providers to determine the amount of weeks they are open for and hours they will be claiming for in each Funding Block that does not exceed the maximum amount of hours given. Key Point: The maximum amount of hours cannot be claimed in every block. If a claim for the maximum amount of hours is made for the first two funding blocks of a child’s eligibility, the third Funding Block will have a significantly reduced amount of hours available. For Financial year 2019/2020 the following guide must be used when offering and claiming funding. Any claims over these amounts may be rejected by the system and could cause a delay in payments. Xxxxxx Xxxxx 2019 (April to August) Hours per week Approx weeks in the Funding Block Approx Hours available for the Funding Block 38 Weeks 15 hours a week 13 weeks 205 hours 48 Weeks Approx 12 hours 17 weeks 210 hours 51 Weeks Approx 11 hours 22 weeks 242 hours Autumn Block 2019 (Sept to December) Hours per week Approx weeks in the Funding Block Approx Hours available for the Funding Block 38 Weeks 15 hours a week 13 weeks 205 hours 48 Weeks Approx 12 hours 16 weeks 200 hours 51 Weeks Approx 11 hours 16 weeks 185 hours Spring Block 2020 (January to March) Hours per week Approx weeks in the Funding Block Approx Hours available for the Funding Block 38 Weeks 15 hours a week 12 weeks 160 hours 48 Weeks Approx 12 hours 12 weeks 160 hours 51 Weeks Approx 11 hours 13 weeks 143 hours Any provider operating and registered as a Childminder understands that in accordance with section 20 of the 2006 Childcare Act, Childminders are not permitted to claim funding for their own children, step-children or any related children. If a child attends two eligible Early Years providers each week both providers must share information and agree the claims to be made. If a duplicate claim is made NCC will apportion the claim in the fairest way possible.

Charging. Local Authority Swindon Borough Council will make it clear to providers that the government funding is intended to cover the cost to deliver 15 or 30 hours a week of funded, high quality, flexible early education and childcare. It is Can I charge parents? You cannot intended to cover the cost of meals, consumables, additional hours or additional services. Swindon Borough Council will not intervene where Parents choose to purchase additional hours of provision or additional services, providing that this does not affect the Parent’s ability to take up their child’s funded place. It shall be a matter for Swindon Borough Council to determine at its absolute discretion whether or not the Provider shall be entitled to charge a deposit for funded places if Swindon Borough Council considers that charging parent/legal guardian a deposit would or would be likely to prevent take ‘top-up, for example for the two year old entitlement for disadvantaged families. Providers The Provider may charge for meals and snacks as part of a funded early education and childcare place and they can also charge for consumables such as nappies or sun cream and for additional service such as trips. These charges must be voluntary for the Parent. Where Parents are unable or unwilling to pay for meals and consumables, providers who choose to offer the funded entitlements are responsible for setting their own policy on how to respond, with options of waiving or reducing the cost of meals and snacks or allowing Parents to supply their own meals. Providers should be particularly mindful of the impact of additional charges on the most disadvantaged parents. The Provider shall deliver the early education and childcare places consistently so that all children accessing any of the funded entitlements will receive the same quality and access to provision, regardless of whether they opt to pay for optional hours, services, meals or consumables. The provider should publish their admissions criteria and ensure parents understand upon registration which hours/sessions can be taken as funded provision. Not all providers will be able to offer fully flexible places, but providers should work with parents to ensure that as far as possible the pattern of hours are convenient for parents’ working hours. The Provider shall be completely transparent with Parents about any additional charges. Subject to Swindon Borough Council having provided its consent for Providers to do so in the circumstances set out in this agreement, Providers can charge Parents a deposit to secure their child’s funded place, but should refund the deposit in full to Parents within a reasonable timescale which shall be no later than 4 weeks after the date that the funded place is taken up. The Provider shall not charge Parents top up fees fee (the difference between a provider’s usual fee and the funding received from the Swindon Borough Council) or require Parents to pay a registration fee as a condition of taking up they receive for their child’s free part time early education. Early Education and Childcare Statutory Guidance for Local Authorities states that local authorities should ‘ensure that early education places are delivered completely free to parents.’ Please take this into account when working out invoices/bills, as you must not charge any top-up fees and you must not charge parents in advance and then refund them once you have got your payment from us. What if a child goes to my setting for more than their funded hours? If a child goes to your setting for more than the maximum funded entitlement, or for hours outside your Funded Early Education for 3 and 4 year old sessions as detailed in your information for parents or Terms & Conditions the parent/legal guardian must pay you for the additional time. Please note that children funded by FEET must be able to access their entitlement with no additional charge. A session length for the delivery of FEET should not be set so that a parent has to pay for any additional time unless they wish to. Children moving from FEET to Funded Early Education for 3 and 4 Year Olds should be able to continue to access the same hours, terms and conditions they were accessing under Funded Early Education for 2 Year Olds if they request to do so. It is your responsibility as the provider to make arrangements with the parent/legal guardian to pay for any additional services. You should make parents/legal guardians aware in writing of any charges for additional services before they take up their free place. The Provider shall Your offer for delivery and charging should be clear and transparent so that parents understand what they will be charged for and how much this will be. You must give parents information on FEET and Funded Early Education for 3 and 4 Year Olds and run a clear and transparent invoice system, which does not insist Parents pay show a charge for additional hours on top of funded early education and childcare hours as a condition of accessing their child’s funded the free entitlement. The Provider shall ensure that its invoices invoice should include the number of funded hours and receipts are clear, transparent detail of what the charges apply to. Where a child is only accessing FEET or Funded Early Education for 3 and itemised, allowing Parents 4 year olds at your setting there is no need to see that they have received their funded entitlement completely funded of charge and understand fees paid for additional hourssend parents an invoice.

Charging. Local Authority Swindon Borough Council will make it clear to providers that the government Government funding is intended to cover the cost to deliver 15 or 30 hours a week of funded, high quality, flexible early education and childcare. It is not intended to cover the cost of meals, consumables, additional hours or additional services. Swindon Borough Council will not intervene where Parents choose to purchase additional hours of provision or additional services, providing that this does not affect the Parent’s ability to take up their child’s funded place. It shall be a matter for Swindon Borough Council to determine at its absolute discretion whether or not the Provider shall be entitled to charge a deposit for funded places if Swindon Borough Council considers that charging a deposit would or would be likely to prevent take up, for example for the two year old entitlement for disadvantaged families. Providers The Provider may can charge for meals and snacks as part of a funded early education and childcare entitlement place and they can also charge for consumables such as nappies or sun cream and for additional service services such as tripstrips and yoga. These charges must be voluntary for the Parentparent. Where Parents parents are unable or unwilling to pay for meals and consumables, providers who choose to offer the funded entitlements are responsible for setting their own policy on how to respond, with options of including waiving or reducing the cost of meals and snacks or allowing Parents parents to supply their own meals. Providers should be particularly mindful of the impact of additional charges on the most disadvantaged parents. The Provider shall should deliver the early education and childcare places funded entitlements consistently so that all children accessing any of the funded entitlements will receive the same quality and access to provision, regardless of whether they opt to pay for optional hours, services, meals or consumables. The provider should Local Authority shall not intervene where parents choose to purchase additional hours of provision or additional services, providing that this does not affect the parent’s ability to take up their child’s funded place. The Provider shall be completely transparent about any additional charges. The Provider shall publish their admissions criteria and ensure parents understand upon registration which hours/sessions can be taken as funded provision. Not all providers will be able to offer fully flexible places, but providers should the Provider shall work with parents to ensure that as far as possible the pattern of hours are convenient for parents’ working hours. The Provider shall be completely transparent with Parents about any additional charges. Subject to Swindon Borough Council having provided its consent for Providers to do so in the circumstances set out in this agreement, Providers can charge Parents parents a deposit to secure their child’s funded place, place but should shall refund the deposit in full to Parents parents within a reasonable timescale time scale (which shall be no later than 4 weeks after the date that child has been included as attending the funded place is taken upProvider setting and recorded in their headcount return). The Provider shall cannot charge Parents top up parents “top-up” fees (the difference between a provider’s usual fee and the funding received they receive from the Swindon Borough Councillocal authority to deliver funded places) or require Parents parents to pay a registration fee as a condition of taking up their child’s funded place. The Provider shall not insist Parents pay for additional hours on top of funded early education and childcare hours as a condition of accessing ensure their child’s funded entitlement. The Provider shall ensure that its invoices and receipts are clear, transparent and itemised, allowing Parents parents to see that they have received their funded entitlement completely funded free of charge and understand fees paid for additional hours. The Provider will also ensure that receipts contain their full details so that they can be identified as coming from a specific provider. The Provider shall not represent the funded entitlement to parents on any invoice as a monetary subsidy or discounted place.

Charging. Local Authority Swindon Borough Council will make it clear to providers that the government Government funding is intended to cover the cost to deliver 15 or 30 hours a week of fundedfree, high quality, flexible early education and childcare. It is not intended to cover the cost of meals, consumables, additional hours or additional services. Swindon Borough Council will not intervene where Parents choose to purchase additional hours of provision or additional services, providing that this does not affect the Parent’s ability to take up their child’s funded place. It shall be a matter for Swindon Borough Council to determine at its absolute discretion whether or not the Provider shall be entitled to charge a deposit for funded places if Swindon Borough Council considers that charging a deposit would or would be likely to prevent take up, for example for the two year old entitlement for disadvantaged families. Providers The Provider may can charge for meals and snacks as part of a funded early education and childcare entitlement place and they can also charge for consumables such as nappies or sun cream and for additional service services such as tripstrips and musical tuition. These Parents should therefore expect to pay for these, although these charges must be voluntary for the Parentparent. Where Parents parents are unable or unwilling to pay for meals and consumables, providers Providers who choose to offer the funded free entitlements are responsible for setting their own policy on how to respond, with options of including waiving or reducing the cost of meals and snacks or allowing Parents parents to supply their own meals. Providers should be particularly mindful of the impact of additional charges on the most disadvantaged parents. The Provider shall should deliver the early education and childcare places funded entitlements consistently so that all children accessing any of the funded entitlements will receive the same quality and access to provision, regardless of whether they opt to pay for optional hours, services, meals or consumables. The provider Local Authority should not intervene where parents choose to purchase additional hours of provision or additional services, providing that this does not affect the parent’s ability to take up their child’s free place. The Provider should be completely transparent about any additional charges. The Provider should publish their admissions criteria and ensure parents understand upon registration which hours/sessions can be taken as funded free provision. Not all providers will be able to offer fully flexible places, but providers should work with parents to ensure that as far as possible the pattern of hours that are convenient for parents’ working hours. The Provider shall be completely transparent with Parents about any additional charges. Subject to Swindon Borough Council having provided its consent for Providers to do so in the circumstances set out in this agreement, Providers can charge Parents parents a deposit to secure their child’s funded place, free place but should refund the deposit in full to Parents parent within a reasonable timescale which shall be no later than 4 weeks after the date that the funded place is taken uptime scale. The Provider shall cannot charge Parents top up parents “top-up” fees (the difference between a provider’s usual fee and the funding received they receive from the Swindon Borough CouncilLA to deliver free places) or require Parents parents to pay a registration fee as a condition of taking up their child’s funded free place. The Provider shall not insist Parents pay for additional hours on top of funded early education and childcare hours as a condition of accessing should ensure their child’s funded entitlement. The Provider shall ensure that its invoices and receipts are clear, transparent and itemised, allowing Parents parents to see that they have received their funded entitlement completely funded free of charge and understand fees paid for additional hours. The Provider will also ensure that receipts contain their full details so that they can be identified as coming from a specific provider.

Charging. Local Authority Swindon Borough Council Providers must have a clear and transparent charging policy. This must explain all charges that will make it clear apply whether or not a child is in receipt of a funded place. This is so that a parent or carer can understand what their charges are likely to providers that be if they opt to purchase additional hours or services or if their child who is fee paying then qualifies for a funded place. There can be no conditions applied to an offer of a 2, 3, 4 year old funded place or the government 30 hours extended entitlement funding. Government funding is intended to cover the cost to deliver 15 or 30 hours a week of funded, high quality, flexible early education and childcare. It is not intended to cover the cost of meals, consumables, additional hours or additional services. Swindon Borough Council will Providers can charge for: • meals and snacks as part of a funded place • consumables such as nappies or sun cream • services such as trips A provider cannot charge parents or carers any additional fees specifically for the funded hours delivered over and above that funding received from NCC. These charges must be voluntary for the parent or carer. Where parents or carers are unable or unwilling to pay for meals and consumables, providers who choose to offer the funded places are responsible for setting their own policy on how to respond, with options including waiving or reducing the cost of meals and snacks or allowing parents or carers to supply their own meals/snacks. Children within a setting accessing any of the funded places must receive the same quality and access to provision regardless of whether or not they opt to pay for additional hours, services, meals or consumables. Providers must be clear and transparent and explain fully to parents or carers about the days and times that they offer funded places, along with their services and all other charges. NCC should not intervene where Parents parents or carers choose to purchase additional hours of provision or additional services, providing that this does not affect the Parent’s parents or carers ability to take up their child’s funded place. It shall be a matter for Swindon Borough Council to determine at its absolute discretion whether or not the Provider shall be entitled to charge a deposit for funded places if Swindon Borough Council considers that charging a deposit would or would be likely to prevent take up, for example for the two year old entitlement for disadvantaged families. Providers The Provider may charge for meals and snacks as part of a funded early education and childcare place and they can also charge for consumables such as nappies or sun cream and for additional service such as trips. These charges must be voluntary for the Parent. Where Parents are unable or unwilling to pay for meals and consumables, providers who choose to offer the funded entitlements are responsible for setting their own policy on how to respond, with options of waiving or reducing the cost of meals and snacks or allowing Parents to supply their own meals. Providers should be particularly mindful of the impact of additional charges on the most disadvantaged parents. The Provider shall deliver the early education and childcare places consistently so that all children accessing any of the funded entitlements will receive the same quality and access to provision, regardless of whether they opt to pay for optional hours, services, meals or consumables. The provider should publish their admissions criteria and ensure parents understand upon registration which hours/sessions can be taken as funded provision. Not all providers will be able to offer fully flexible places, but providers should work with parents to ensure that as far as possible the pattern of hours are convenient for parents’ working hours. The Provider shall be completely transparent with Parents about any additional chargescharges and explain these in full to parents or carers. Subject to Swindon Borough Council having provided its consent for Providers to do so in the circumstances set out in this agreement, Providers can charge Parents ask parents or carers for a voluntary deposit to secure their child’s funded place, place but should refund the any deposit in full to parents or carers within 2 weeks of a child starting a funded place. Parents within or carers who do not wish to pay a reasonable timescale which shall voluntary deposit must not be no later than 4 weeks after the date that the funded place is taken updiscriminated against. The Provider shall Providers cannot charge Parents top up parents or carers any form of “top-up” fees (the difference between a provider’s usual fee and the funding received they receive from the Swindon Borough CouncilNCC to deliver funded places) or require Parents parents or carers to pay a registration fee or deposit as a condition of taking up their child’s funded place. The Provider shall There must not be any conditions in taking up a funded place. Providers cannot insist Parents pay for additional hours on top of extra hours, services, lunch clubs are taken up in order to receive a funded early education and childcare hours as a condition of accessing place. Providers must ensure their child’s funded entitlement. The Provider shall ensure that its invoices and receipts receipts; • are clear, transparent and itemised, allowing Parents parents or carers to see that they have received their funded entitlement completely funded of charge place and understand fees paid for additional hourshours • contain their full details so that they can be identified as coming from a specific provider Funding NCC make funding payments based on the information supplied by Providers. Any inaccurate or incomplete submissions of data will result in inaccurate or incomplete payment. Funding Information received after the deadline impacts on funding payments for all providers. NCC cannot guarantee that late information will be processed and paid in line with usual payment dates. Providers agree to: • accurately complete and submit mandatory Headcount Tasks and other necessary data returns by the agreed date to ensure NCC are able to make payment. • reimburse NCC for any overpayment of funding in respect of funded places and any additional funding such as Deprivation, Disability Access Fund (DAF), EYPP and High Needs funding no matter how the overpayment may have occurred; to supply NCC with information requested to allow them to make payments to the Provider for the provision of funded places and the (EYPP). Providers will offer all eligible funded children up to 570 funded hours per child’s year or 1140 hours specifically for the 30 hours funding per child’s year split into 3 Funding Blocks as follows: Summer Funding Block: 1st April to 31st August – to be age eligible for the Xxxxxx Xxxxx a child will need to be 3 years old on or before the 31st March to start a funded place on the 1st April Autumn Block: 1st September to 31st December – to be age eligible for the Autumn Block a child will need to be 3 years old on or before the 31st August to start a funded place on the 1st September Spring Block: 1st January to 31st March – to be age eligible for the Spring Block a child will need to be 3 years old on or before the 31st December to start a funded place on the 1st January A child’s funding year starts the first full funding block following their 2nd Birthday for 2 year funding or their 3rd Birthday for Universal and 30 hours extended funding. In each funding block, NCC set the amount of hours available Summer Funding Block: 242 hours MAXIMUM Autumn Funding Block: 222 hours MAXIMUM Spring Funding Block: 180 hours MAXIMUM It is the responsibility of providers to determine the amount of weeks they are open for and hours they will be claiming for in each Funding Block that does not exceed the maximum amount of hours given. Key Point: The maximum amount of hours cannot be claimed in every block. If a claim for the maximum amount of hours is made for the first two funding blocks of a child’s eligibility, the third Funding Block will have a significantly reduced amount of hours available. For Financial year 2019/2020 the following guide must be used when offering and claiming funding. Any claims over these amounts may be rejected by the system and could cause a delay in payments. Xxxxxx Xxxxx 2019 (April to August) Hours per week Approx weeks in the Funding Block Approx Hours available for the Funding Block 38 Weeks 15 hours a week 13 weeks 205 hours 48 Weeks Approx 12 hours 17 weeks 210 hours 51 Weeks Approx 11 hours 22 weeks 242 hours Autumn Block 2019 (Sept to December) Hours per week Approx weeks in the Funding Block Approx Hours available for the Funding Block 38 Weeks 15 hours a week 13 weeks 205 hours 48 Weeks Approx 12 hours 16 weeks 200 hours 51 Weeks Approx 11 hours 16 weeks 185 hours Spring Block 2020 (January to March) Hours per week Approx weeks in the Funding Block Approx Hours available for the Funding Block 38 Weeks 15 hours a week 12 weeks 160 hours 48 Weeks Approx 12 hours 12 weeks 160 hours 51 Weeks Approx 11 hours 13 weeks 143 hours Any provider operating and registered as a Childminder understands that in accordance with section 20 of the 2006 Childcare Act, Childminders are not permitted to claim funding for their own children, step-children or any related children. If a child attends two eligible Early Years providers each week both providers must share information and agree the claims to be made. If a duplicate claim is made NCC will apportion the claim in the fairest way possible. Compliance NCC can carry out checks and/or audits on providers to ensure compliance with the requirements of delivering the Funded Places. Termination and withdrawal of funding Suspension of registration by Ofsted or a Childminding Agency or a breach of statutory requirements or safeguarding issues may result in the termination of the arrangement and withdrawal of funding. Should a provider receive an ‘Inadequate’ OFSTED grade, on the 1st of the month after the notification from Ofsted has been received, any quality supplement added to the hourly rate will cease. The full Main Funding Block following the notification, all funded childcare and Education for 2 year olds, the Funded Entitlement for 3 and 4 year olds and the 30 hours extended entitlement, will cease completely. Compliments and Complaints Process Providers should ensure they have a compliments and complaints procedure in place that is published and accessible for parents or carers to comment on the care their child has received in their funded place in the correct way, as set out in this agreement and in Early Education and Childcare Statutory guidance for Local Authorities. If a parent or carer or provider is not satisfied with the way in which their complaint has been dealt with by NCC or believes NCC has acted unreasonably, they can make a complaint to the Local Authority Ombudsman. 30 hours complaints and compliments 30 hours Extended Entitlement is operated solely by HMRC and any compliments or complaints should be directed to HMRC. An appeals can be made by parents or carers on completion of an online form on the HMRC Childcare Services website Childcare Services – 30 Hours Appeal. 30 hours funding appeals cannot be made directly to Northamptonshire County Council. Abusive or Aggressive Behaviour - Zero Tolerance NCC staff come to work to assist the people of Northamptonshire and it is important for all staff to be treated with courtesy and respect. Any aggressive or violent behaviour towards NCC staff either via email, over the telephone or face to face will not be tolerated under any circumstances. Proper behaviour is absolutely necessary and will result in details of any incidents reported to OFSTED or Childminding Agency. Data protection and GDPR Please ensure you have read our privacy notice.

Charging. Local Authority Swindon Borough Council will make it clear to providers that the The government funding is intended to cover the full cost to deliver 15 or 30 hours a week of funded, high quality, flexible early education and childcare. It is not intended to cover the cost of meals, consumables, additional hours hours, or additional services. Swindon Borough Council will not intervene where Parents choose to purchase additional hours of provision or additional services, providing that this does not affect the Parent’s ability to take up their child’s funded place. It shall be a matter for Swindon Borough Council to determine at its absolute discretion whether or not the Provider shall be entitled to charge a deposit for funded places if Swindon Borough Council considers that charging a deposit would or would be likely to prevent take up, for example for the two year old entitlement for disadvantaged families. Providers The Provider may can charge for meals and snacks as part of a funded early education and childcare an Early Years Entitlement place and they can also charge for consumables such as nappies or sun cream cream, and for additional service services such as tripstrips and activities. These Parents can therefore be expected to pay for these, although these charges must be voluntary for the Parentparent and not be a condition of accessing their Early Years Entitlement place. Where Parents parents are unable or unwilling to pay for meals and consumables, providers who choose to offer the funded entitlements Early Years Entitlement are responsible for setting their own policy on how to respond, with options of including waiving or reducing the cost of meals and snacks or allowing Parents parents to supply their own meals. Providers should be particularly mindful of the impact of additional charges on the most disadvantaged parentsfamilies. The Provider shall Providers should deliver the early education and childcare places Early Years Entitlement consistently so that all children accessing any of the funded entitlements will receive the same quality and access to provision, regardless of whether they opt to pay for optional hours, services, meals meals, or consumables. The provider Providers should make all their charges clear in a Fee Structure and ensure that parents are aware of any charges for additional services before they take up their Early Years Entitlement place. Wiltshire Council will not intervene where parents choose to purchase additional hours or additional services, providing this does not affect the parents’ ability to take up their child’s Early Years Entitlement place. Providers should be completely transparent about any additional charges. Children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) must be treated fairly and equally with reasonable adjustments made as set out in Sections 20 and 21 of the Equalities Act 2010’. Providers must not charge parents additional fees to support a child with SEND. Providers should publish their admissions criteria ensuring it is clear and ensure parents available to all parents, so they can understand upon registration which hours/sessions hours can be taken as funded Early Years Entitlement provision. Not all providers will be able to offer fully flexible places, but providers should work with parents to ensure that as far as possible the pattern of hours are convenient for parents’ working hours. The Provider shall be completely transparent with Parents about any additional charges. Subject to Swindon Borough Council having provided its consent for Providers to do so in the circumstances set out in this agreement, Providers can charge Parents a deposit to secure their child’s funded place, Early Years Entitlement place but should must refund the deposit in full to Parents parents within a reasonable timescale which shall time scale. Wiltshire Council’s recommendation is the end of a half term or within six weeks of a child’s start. However, the charging of a deposit must not be no later than 4 weeks after the date that the funded place is taken upa barrier to a child accessing their Early Years Entitlement hours. The Provider shall Providers cannot charge Parents top up parents ‘top-up’ fees (the difference between a provider’s usual fee and the funding received they receive from the Swindon Borough CouncilWiltshire Council to deliver Early Years Entitlement places) or require Parents parents to pay a registration fee as a condition of taking up their child’s funded Early Years Entitlement place. The Provider shall not insist Parents pay for additional hours on top of funded early education and childcare hours as a condition of accessing Providers should ensure their child’s funded entitlement. The Provider shall ensure that its invoices and receipts are clear, transparent transparent, and itemised, allowing Parents parents to see that they have received their funded entitlement completely funded of charge full Early Years Entitlement and understand fees paid for additional hours or services. The provider will also ensure that invoices and receipts contain their full details so that they can be identified as coming from a specific provider. The early years entitlement is an entitlement in hours, not a monetary value to be deducted from a childcare provider’s bill or as a discounted item on an invoice.