Free early years provision and childcare: model agreement
Information local authorities should include in their agreements with early years providers to deliver free entitlements.
Applies to England
Documents
Details
The model agreement is for:
- local authorities
- early years providers, including:
- early years providers and childminders on the Ofsted early years register
- childminders registered with a childminder agency that is registered with Ofsted
- local-authority-maintained schools
- independent schools and academies that:
- take children aged 2 and over
- are exempt from registration with Ofsted as an early years provider
‘Free childcare entitlements and model agreement guidance’ sets out the details of the childcare entitlements that can be claimed. It also contains guidance on using the model agreement and the provisions that should be included.
‘Model agreement template: free early years provision and childcare’ contains the headers and standard wording for local authorities to use when creating a provider agreement.
The ‘Parental declaration form’ can be used by early years and childcare providers for parents and carers wishing to claim free entitlement.
Last updated 1 January 2024 + show all updates
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Updated the model agreement to simplify wording and streamline content so that it is easier to read. There are now 3 attachments, including a page with information about ‘Free childcare entitlements and model agreement guidance’, and 2 Word document templates for the model agreement template and parental declaration form. It has also been updated to align with policy changes such as widening the age range to include children from 9 months to 4 years old.
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Updated model agreement.
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First published.