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<p>It is the responsibility of local authorities to ensure that providers deliver
government-funded early education places free of charge, and that parents are not
required to pay for additional services or consumables as a condition of accessing
a place. The Government does not require local authorities to report breaches of this
requirement centrally; however it has clearly set out local authorities’ responsibility
for ensuring there are no compulsory charges for parents.</p><p> </p><p>The 2014 Statutory
Guidance states that, in relation to delivery of the early education entitlements
for two-, three- and four-year-olds, local authorities should ensure that if providers
charge for any goods or services, this is not a condition of children accessing their
place. The Statutory Guidance is available at: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/298754/2014_Draft_Statutory_Guidance.pdf"
target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/298754/2014_Draft_Statutory_Guidance.pdf</a></p><p>
</p><p>We reinforced this position in the consultation on reforms to Early Years Funding
which was published on 11 August. This makes clear that providers are free to charge
parents for consumables (such as drinks, meals and nappies) or additional services
(such as baby yoga, music lessons and trips) provided they are not compulsory. ‘So,
for example, paying for additional services must not be a condition of taking up a
free publicly-funded place’. The consultation document is available at: <a href="https://consult.education.gov.uk/early-years-funding/eynff"
target="_blank">https://consult.education.gov.uk/early-years-funding/eynff</a></p><p>
</p><p>We will publish updated Statutory Guidance in early 2017, which will restate
the Government position on providers charging for additional services or consumables.
We have consulted on draft updated Statutory Guidance which is available at: <a href="https://consult.education.gov.uk/early-years-funding/childcare-free-entitlement/supporting_documents/STAT%20GUIDANCE%20latest.pdf"
target="_blank">https://consult.education.gov.uk/early-years-funding/childcare-free-entitlement/supporting_documents/STAT%20GUIDANCE%20latest.pdf</a></p>
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