Government updates

Extension to eligibility for free early education for 2-year-olds with no recourse to public funds (NRPF)

The DfE has recently consulted on extending the eligibility criteria for the entitlement to 15 hours a week free early education for disadvantaged 2-year-olds to families with no recourse to public funds (NRPF).

You will be aware that the Department for Education (DfE) has recently consulted on extending the eligibility criteria for the entitlement to 15 hours a week free early education for disadvantaged 2-year-olds to families with no recourse to public funds (NRPF).

The department has now published the consultation response. This confirms that the additional groups that have been identified for the entitlement are:

  • those with a UK ancestry visa
  • those with temporary protection status under Section 12 of the Nationality and Borders Act; and
  • those with pre-settled status with no qualifying right to reside.

From 1 September, the department has extended the eligibility for the 2-year-old early education entitlement to children from all families with NRPF, subject to the maximum income thresholds as follows:

  • £26,500 for families outside of London with one child.
  • £34,500 for families within London with one child.
  • £30,600 for families outside of London with two or more children.
  • £38,600 for families within London with two or more children.
  • A maximum capital threshold of £16,000 in all areas.

Please note that the income thresholds for these families is different to that of families with recourse to public funds.

Q&A for local authorities on extending 2-year-old early education entitlement to families with no recourse to public funds (NRPF).


Early years stronger practice hubs

Information for early years practitioners about applying to become a stronger practice hub.


Emergency planning and response for education, childcare, and children’s social care settings

How educational and childcare settings should plan for and deal with emergencies, including significant public health incidents and severe weather.

Change made: updated Department for Education incident support email address.


Report a serious childcare incident

Ofsted-registered childminders, nannies, nurseries and other day-care must use this service to report significant events affecting their childcare within 14 days.

Change made: clarified the ‘Things you do not need to tell us about’ section, including holidays and setting closures.


Keeping children safe in education

Statutory guidance for schools and colleges on safeguarding children and safer recruitment.

Change made: the 2022 version of ‘Keeping children safe in education’ is now in force and replaces previous versions. Since the ‘2022 for information’ version published in May we have updated a few things, annex F shows all the substantive changes that apply from September 2022. We have also replaced ‘Keeping children safe in education: for school and college staff (part 1)’ with an updated 2022 version.


Check early years qualifications

Find out if a person’s qualifications allow them to work in an early years setting, and if you can include them in staff:child ratios.

Change made: titles ‘Qualifications achieved in England’ has been updated to ‘Qualifications achieved in the United Kingdom’ and ‘Qualifications achieved outside England’ has been changed to ‘Qualifications achieved outside the United Kingdom’.


Childminders on the compulsory Childcare Register: Ofsted requirements

Requirements you must meet if you are a childminder and registered with Ofsted on the compulsory part of the Childcare Register.


Nanny: Ofsted requirements

Nannies registered with Ofsted must follow these requirements.


Childminders on the voluntary Childcare Register: Ofsted requirements

Requirements you must meet if you are a childminder registered with Ofsted on the voluntary part of the Childcare Register.


Daycare providers on the compulsory Childcare Register: Ofsted requirements

Requirements you must meet if you are an Ofsted-registered out of school club, nursery or other type of daycare on the compulsory part of the Childcare Register.


Daycare providers on the voluntary Childcare Register: Ofsted requirements

Requirements you must meet if you are an Ofsted-registered daycare provider on the voluntary part of the Childcare Register.


Applying to work for up to 50% of the time on non-domestic premises (EYA)

Apply to work on non-domestic premises for up to half of your time.