Early Years Funded Entitlement (EYFE) – Parent Guide
What is EYFE?
EYFE is government‑funded childcare that helps families access early education. Happy Bears Early Years Ltd is registered with West Sussex County Council to offer funded places.
Eligible families may receive:
Universal Funding (3–4 years): 15 hours per week
Working Families Funding (from 9 months): 30 hours per week
2‑year‑old Funding: 15 hours per week for eligible families
Parents must apply for funding and keep eligibility codes up to date.
When Does Funding Start?
Funding begins the term after your child reaches the eligible age. Terms start in January, April and September.
How to Apply for Funding
Parents can apply for their funded childcare hours through Childcare Choices (HMRC), where you will receive an 11‑digit eligibility code to give to us so we can secure your child’s place.
Parent Declaration
To claim funding, you must complete a Parent Declaration. You may need to update it if:
Your child’s hours change
You use more than one provider
Your eligibility changes
West Sussex County Council requests updated information
Accessing a Funded Place.
Places depend on room capacity and staffing. If we have more applications than places, priority may be given to:
Looked‑after or previously looked‑after children
Children with SEND
Siblings already attending
Children needing regular attendance patterns
Families with identified needs
A place is confirmed once registration forms and the Parent Declaration are completed.
EYFE Delivery Times (Term‑Time Only)
Monday–Friday: 8:00am–4:30pm
Saturday: Closed
Sunday: Closed
These are the hours during which funded childcare can be delivered. They do not increase your child’s individual entitlement.
Session Times:
Early Drop‑Off / Breakfast Club: 8:00am–8:45am (45 mins)
Morning Session: 8:45am–11:45am (3 hrs)
Afternoon Session: 11:45am–2:45pm (3 hrs)
Full Day Session: 8:45am–2:45pm (6 hrs)
Extended Collection: 2:45pm–4:30pm (1 hr 45 mins)
A child attending 8:45am–2:45pm Monday–Friday receives 30 funded hours. You can choose fewer days or mix sessions depending on availability and your entitlement.
Optional Extras
(If an addition outside of Funded entitlement hours)
Early Drop‑Off: £7.50
Extended Collection: £15.00
T-shirts: £6.50
Bookbags: £8.50
If you have unused funded hours, you may use them for these sessions. These extras are optional and not required to access EYFE.
Privately Paid Childcare
If your child is not eligible for EYFE, or you need extra hours, our rate is £9.00 per hour.
Privately paid hours beyond funded entitlement are charged separately.
Additional Services
We may offer optional extras such as:
Trips and outings
Additional activities or classes
Extra childcare hours
Uniform: T-shirts and/or a Bookbag
These are not required to access EYFE. Charges will always be clearly communicated
Attendance & Absence
Please let us know if your child will be absent. Funded hours cannot be saved or moved to another week.
If Happy Bears is unable to provide a funded session unexpectedly, we will try to offer an alternative where possible.
Leaving or Changing Sessions
We require four weeks’ written notice if you wish to withdraw your child or change funded attendance patterns. Notice periods include holidays and closure periods.
Support for Children with SEND
We welcome all children and work closely with families to support individual needs. Where appropriate, we may apply for:
Inclusion Funding
Early Years Pupil Premium (EYPP)
Disability Access Fund (DAF)
Equality & Inclusion
We are committed to fair access for all families. We follow our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Policy and SEND Policy.
Policy Review
This guide is reviewed annually or sooner if Government or Local Authority requirements change.