If you have a two year old and you’re not getting 15 hours of
free childcare a week, we don’t want anything to put you off
applying. To make sure we’ve put together answers to
questions we get asked all the time from other parents, which
we hope will ease any worries you may have.
I think I’m eligible for FEET now but my circumstances might change later this
year. If that happens, will I still able to take up the offer of free childcare for
my two year old?
Yes, once you get your FEET Acceptance Letter letting you know that you’re
eligible for FEET, your funding is guaranteed until your child turns three. It
doesn’t matter if your circumstances change so if you think you are eligible now,
apply now!
I’m already paying for childcare, when would I stop paying and start getting 15
hours of childcare for free?
As soon as you get your FEET Acceptance Letter, you can show it to your
childcare provider as it shows the date they can start claiming FEET funding for
your child and when you will no longer need to pay for 15 hours of childcare for
your two year old.
If I apply and I’m eligible will I have to use all 15 hours of free childcare?
No, you don’t have to take all of the 15 hours of free childcare your child is
eligible for if this doesn’t suit you. Speak to your childcare provider about
starting off with fewer hours and gently building up the number of hours your
child attends.
I feel that my child is too young to be in childcare, do you have any advice?
Finding the right childcare provider for your child could make all the difference.
It could be that you start them off in a smaller, more homely environment with a
childminder when your child is two and then move to a nursery or pre-school
when they turn three. You can choose to split their childcare between more
than one childcare provider if that helps. And remember, you don’t need to take
up a place straight away, once you have your FEET Acceptance Letter you’re
eligible for FEET until your child turns three.
As I’m just about to move house, is it worth applying as my child would be
going to a childcare provider near where I live now?
Moving house can end up taking a lot longer than you first imagine, dragging on
for six months or longer. Why not apply for 15 hours of free childcare for your
two year old now, as you can transfer FEET funding to a different childcare
provider during term time if you move and it’s too far for you to travel to your current
provider.
My child isn’t potty trained yet so I’m wondering if I should apply or does that mean that I
can’t take up an offer of free childcare?
All childcare providers should welcome children whether they are potty trained or not, it
shouldn’t be a problem so don’t let it stop you applying. If the childcare provider says that
your child needs to be potty trained to be able to take up a place, please contact the FEET
team by emailing [email protected] or calling us on 01372 833368.
What would I do if there wasn’t a place for my child with the childcare provider I wanted
my two year old to go to?
You could choose to split the childcare, taking a couple of sessions with a different childcare
provider while you wait for a place to come up for the remaining hours with your preferred
childcare provider. Or you could use another childcare provider when your child is two,
keeping in mind that you can switch childcare providers when they turn three and perhaps
go to the one you had in mind in the first place.
I’m worried that my two year old won’t be able to cope with being in childcare, how do
other parents deal with this?
Remember, your childcare provider will be happy to have a settling in period and will talk to
you about what this involves. It could be that you’re invited to stay and play when your child
first starts. With the agreement of your childcare provider, you might decide to start off with
fewer hours and gradually increase the time your two year old spends there.
And don’t forget to take a look at our film “What nursery is like for two year olds” at
surreycc.gov.uk/feet to see real two year olds spending time at a day nursery as well as
watching our other FEET films featuring parents talking about different types of childcare,
including childminders.
Is it correct that schools don’t offer free childcare for two year olds?
No, more and more schools are opening their doors to two year olds. They often have their
application forms online on their school website and you should be able to arrange a visit to
look around before you make any decision about taking up a place.
When my child turns three will they still get 15 hours of free childcare straight away or will
I have to pay?
Your child will get FEET until the term after they turn three at which point they will be
automatically eligible for free early education for three and four year olds. At the moment
this is also 15 hours a week, there’s no gap.