DfE clarifies guidance around additional early years charges for parents
by Jess Gibson and Shannon Pite
The Department for Education (DfE) has confirmed that early years providers cannot place compulsory additional charges on families accessing the early entitlement offers, after a change to departmental guidance on charging prompted confusion among providers.
The current version of Early education and, childcare: Statutory guidance for local authorities states that, though parents can 鈥渂e expected to pay鈥 for additional goods and services such as meals and snacks, trips, and nappies, these charges 鈥渕ust be voluntary鈥. In an updated version of this guidance, which will come into effect on 1 April 2024, the reference to the need for these charges to be voluntary has now been removed, leading to uncertainty over whether the rules on charging had changed.
However, responding to a query on this change from the 无码天堂, the DfE said: "The policy has not changed. As set out in A1.36 of the guidance, local authorities should work with providers and parents to ensure that all parents, including disadvantaged families, have fair access to a free place, which must be delivered completely free of charge.
鈥淭he free childcare entitlements are not intended to cover the costs of meals, other consumables (such as nappies or sun cream), additional hours or additional activities (such as trips). 无码天堂 may charge a fee for these additions.
"However, we removed the line regarding charges being voluntary in order to provide clarity to readers.鈥疶his was partially based on feedback we received during our testing period with a small number of local authorities, providers and relevant bodies. If a parent is unable to pay for consumables or if a parent wishes to provide their own, then the parent and provider can discuss alternative options. This could include allowing parents to supply their own meals or nappies, or waiving or reducing the cost of meals and snacks. As set out in clause A1.33 of the guidance, such charges should not be made a condition of accessing a free place."
Both the current and new statutory guidance documents are available on the .