Early Years and Childcare Special Newsletter
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Wednesday 6 March 2024
The new Early Years Funded Entitlement (EYFE) Provider Declaration (1 April 2024 to 31 March 2025) is now available, please ensure you fully read and understand the latest version which is on our webpage: www.westsussex.gov.uk/eycfreeentitlement. Please see Appendix N for a summary of the significant changes in line with the updated Department for Education's statutory guidance from April 2024.
Please note, the Parent Declaration form document has also been updated as published in special newsletter 29 February 2024. Please ensure you use the latest versions which can be found on our webpage: www.westsussex.gov.uk/eycfreeentitlement
All existing EYFE providers must return their signed Provider Declaration form via the Online Provider Portal (OPP) by 27 March 2024 in order to continue delivering EYFE from April 2024. If you do not currently offer 2 year old EYFE and wish to do so from April 2024, please see instructions below.
To access guidance and the OPP go to www.westsussex.gov.uk/ecsportal to complete and return your ‘FE Provider Declaration v2’ signature form electronically. Failure to return this form by the due date will delay your summer term estimate payment.
Questions on the form include if you are signing up to the 2 year old working families entitlements from April 2024 and/or 9 month old offer from September 2024. If you have not yet made a decision about the 9 month old offer, do not worry. You can ask to sign up at a later date.
Please be advised that the Online Provider Portal will be unavailable Wednesday 13 March at 1.00pm to Thursday 14 March at 11.59pm whilst we upgrade our technology. You will not be able to submit a Provider Declaration during this time.
Any providers wishing to sign up to deliver EYFE for the first time, or add 2 year old EYFE to their offer, please contact the Family Information Service for a separate form and do not complete the online form.
If you already offer 2 year old EYFE and wish to sign up for 2 year old EYFE for Working Families from April 2024, please follow the instructions for existing providers.
To help you prepare for this, please read this summary of what you need to know before signing up to offer EYFE. If you wish to offer EYFE from the Summer term and submit your documents before 31 March 2024, you will be able to offer funding from 15 April 2024.
If you have any questions, please contact the Family Information Service Specialist Team on 01243 777807 or email free.entitlement@westsussex.gov.uk
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