Claiming the Free Entitlements

This page is for Early Years Providers claiming the Free Entitlements for children aged 9 months up to 4 years old, Early Years Pupil Premium and Disability Access Fund.

Eligibility

pink line

  • The eligibility criteria for the Free Entitlements  and further information for parents can be found on the Kent County Council website
  • Children in foster care may be eligible for The Working Parent Entitlement, providing they meet the age criteria and two additional criteria: that this is consistent with the child’s care plan and the foster parent is taking up paid employment outside of their fostering role. Foster carers must speak to the child’s social worker and complete the Working Parent Entitlement application form (DOCX, 832.5 KB)

Synergy Provider Portal
pink line

Please use the link below to access the provider portal:

Guidance Documents

pink line

Kent Provider Agreement

pink line

The Kent Provider Agreement (KPA) provides a framework which outlines the mutual commitments between early years providers, The Education People and Kent County Council on delivering the Free Entitlements.

All provider responsibilities in respect of delivering the Free Entitlements are set out in the KPA and a new ‘ Free Entitlements Claim Process’ document. The KPA and Free Entitlements Claim Process document combined, now form the formal contract between KCC and each of the early years providers within Kent.

We have updated our Kent Provider Agreement to reflect the changes in the statutory guidance published by the Department of Education. Please log in to your FIS Provider Portal to sign the latest version of the declaration.

Please note: You must sign the Kent Provider Declaration to offer and claim the Free Entitlements funding, failure to do so will result in all payments being held.

Kent Provider Agreement 2024 to 19 April 2026

Fees for Funding Errors

pink line

Parental Declaration Form
pink line

Funding Calendar and Payment Schedules
pink line

The funding calendar and payment schedule contains the funding periods for each term, the claim submission windows, and payment dates.

Year 2025/26

Year 2026/27

Please use these sample calendars to assist when choosing term dates and claiming funding:

Year 2025/26

Year 2026 /27

Term Time only claims in Synergy from September 2026
pink line

In line with the Free Entitlements claims process, providers can offer a non-stretched or stretched pattern or both but Free Entitlement claims must be submitted to KCC under a 38 week pattern from September 2026.

A stretched weeks calculator and stretched to term time converter have been developed to help with you claiming term time in Synergy but stretching for parents outside of Synergy.

Early Learning For 2 Year Olds (FF2) -  Non-Uk Citizen (No-Recourse to Public Funds) Application Form

pink line

The Working Parents Entitlement - Kent Eligibility Checker

pink line

Providers must validate all eligibility codes with Management Information prior to securing a funded place and submitting a funding claim.

To validate an 11 digit code and establish eligibility for the entitlement, submit the form below and Management Information will complete a check and inform you of the result by email.

Submit a working parents eligibility check

Early Years Pupil Premium (EYPP) - DLA/LAC Application Form

pink line

For further information on EYPP please visit:  Early Years Pupil Premium (EYPP)

Disability Access Fund (DAF) Application Form
pink line

For further information on DAF please visit the Disability Access Fund (DAF) page

Deprivation Calculator
pink line

The hourly supplement will be targeted towards all children with home postcodes in the most deprived areas. You can use the calculator below to calculate the deprivation funding for your setting.

Please find more information, including contact details for the school funding team

Data protection
pink line

The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) will replace the Data Protection Act 1998 (DPA) and represents the biggest change to data protection law for 20 years.

To comply with Article 13 of the GDPR settings must strengthen their privacy notices and must include some additional information. The revised Early Years Settings privacy notice template is GDPR compliant, but there are some sections (in red) where settings are required to provide additional information.

You should ensure all parents and carers of children eligible for free entitlement receive a Privacy Notice.

Contact Information
pink line

Early Years Providers: For any queries regarding Early Years Funding, please contact our team.
(This service is not available to the general public.)

Some of the files on this page may not be suitable for users of assistive technology. See our accessibility statement for information on how to request an alternative format.

pink line