Funding for the Early Years and Childcare Entitlement

Ofsted Registration

• Providers caring for children under 8 for more than 2 hours a day, providers must ensure that they are registered with Ofsted, or with a childminder agency
• To care for children under the age of 5, providers must register on the Early Years Register and follow the Statutory Framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage
• To care for children up to age 8, providers must also register on the Childcare Register

IMPORTANT: You can get an unlimited fine, be sent to prison, or both if you provide childminding or daycare services without being registered.

Bolton Council Registration and Funding Agreement

Bolton Council administers payment to Providers on behalf of the Department for Education for the early years free entitlements:

• the funded 15 hour entitlement for eligible two year olds
• the 15 hour entitlement for parents of three and four year olds (the universal entitlement) and
• the 30 hours funded entitlement for working parents of children from 9 months old - 4 years (extended entitlement)

Bolton Council also administers payment for:

• Early Years Inclusion fund and Disability Access Fund
• Early Years Pupil Premium 

To become a funded provider:

1. Complete the online registration form
2. Eligibility checks are carried out by the lcal authority
3. Sign a legal Funding Agreement with Bolton Council

At a glance flowchart explaining the Bolton Council registration process and funding agreements

Ensuring sufficient education and childcare places in Bolton

• Providers must submit termly updates on places and vacancies
• Bolton Council has a legal duty to ensure sufficient childcare for working and studying parents
• The Childcare Sufficiency Assessment helps parents, providers, councillors, and officers understand local childcare availability and demand

New to Childminding Training

Please note this must be completed BEFORE Ofsted registration.

• New childminders must complete Bolton Council’s Childminder Training Courses
• Mandatory training includes:
  • Paediatric First Aid
  • Safeguarding (Please note that you must attend the Bolton Safeguarding Children Course which is provided by Bolton Council)
  • Food Hygiene

Start well Service 01204 338149

startwellbookings@bolton.gov.uk .

• Support is also available from organisations such as Coram PACEY
• Childminders registering with a childminding agency receive training through the agency

Business Support 

Access our e-learning platform, for free modules:

1. An Introduction for New Start-ups. This is aimed at people who want to set up a childcare business for the first time.
2. An Introduction to Early Years Business Planning. This is aimed at existing childcare providers who want to know more about how business planning can help them build a successful childcare business. It is also suitable for new start-ups

Additional support is available via the Start Well, Business Support Services webpages