Nursery Education Grant

Nursery Education Grant (NEG) is a government grant which funds children aged 3 and 4 to have a nursery education before they start school.

This grant is claimed by the NEG registered nursery or pre-school.

A child is entitled to a maximum of 5 free NEG funded sessions a week.

These sessions are 2.5 hours in length however Haringey is currently piloting a new scheme which increases these sessions from 2.5 hours a day to 3 hours a day. For further information click the following link Pathfinder pilot

A child may claim 2 sessions a day so long as those sessions are divided by a break of at least an hour, which is not NEG funded.

A child can claim a maximum of 38 weeks a year of NEG funding.

There are 3 terms a year:

Spring
Summer
Autumn

A child may claim the NEG sessions at more than one NEG provider.

NEG terms

Spring: 1 January – 31 March
Summer: 1 April – 31 August
Autumn: 1 September – 31 December

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Claiming the Nursery Education Grant

Parents must enrol their child in a nursery or pre-school approved to receive NEG. Providers claim the NEG for the parents.

Each provider receives a headcount pack prior to headcount day, which usually falls within the first month of a new term. This pack will help providers prepare for Headcount Day.

Each term, the LEA sets a Headcount Day, and providers take a headcount of all eligible children registered at their setting during that week.

Parents do not have any paperwork to claim NEG for their child. The eligible provider is responsible to submit the proper paperwork to Haringey Council for the funds.

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Children eligible for funding

All 3 year olds are eligible from the term after their 3rd Birthday.
All 4 year olds are eligible from the funding term after their 4th birthday.

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How many sessions can be claimed for each child?

Maximum of 5 sessions per week, offered over 38 weeks with 3 terms per year.
NEG sessions must be at least 2½ hours in length.
Nursery Education providers do not have to offer 5 sessions per week,
Nursery Education providers may claim up to 2 sessions per day. If 2 sessions a day are claimed there must be at least an hour break in between them, i.e. lunch.

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Parental contributions

Nursery Education providers have to offer NEG places for registered children and they must show this to parents within their fee structure at the beginning of each term.
The parent/carer will have to pay for any services, beyond their free entitlement .
Providers must make parents aware, prior to their taking up a free place, of any additional charges that will be payable in respect of additional services provided.

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