Funding for the Early Years and Childcare Entitlement
Funding Agreement and Provider Responsibilities
The Funding Agreement
The Funding Agreement for Schools, PVI and Childminders:
- Is a legal contract
- Sets out the terms and conditions for delivering funded entitlements
- Must be signed before funding is paid
Providers must
- Deliver funded hours completely free at the point of delivery
- comply with statutory guidance
- Maintain accurate records
2026 Headcount Survey and Census Calendar
The 2026 calendar outlines key dates for headcounts, surveys, and census submissions that must be completed throughout the year.
In line with paragraph 2.61 of the Funding Agreement, providers must submit required information to Bolton Council, including (but not limited to) headcount, census, sufficiency, quality, parental declaration forms, invoices and audit returns, by the specified deadlines to support the processing of payments and delivery of free entitlements.
Please note that all dates are provisional and may be updated as official census schedules are confirmed
Parental Declaration Form
The Parental Declaration Form is a required agreement between providers and parents that:
- Confirms funded hours and attendance patterns
- records split placements
- Allows providers to validate eligibility codes
Closure or sale of a business
In the circumstances where a provision is being sold to somebody else, the previous owner is required to resign their registration with Ofsted in writing. For further information, please see the Early Years and Childcare Registration Handbook.
It is advised that the provider informs Bolton’s Strategic Finance Unit to inform them of the closure/sale of a business:
Strategic Finance Unit
1st Floor
Town Hall
Victoria Square
Bolton
BL1 1RU