Seahorse Nursery is in partnership with East Lothian Council to provide 1140 hours of Funded Early Learning and Childcare to eligible children. If you have any queries on the 1140 hours please contact the office. We require both applications to be completed to apply for 1140 hours.
What is 1140 hours?
By August 2020 the Scottish Government is committed to increasing the funded entitlement to Early Learning & Childcare for all 3-4 year old and eligible 2 year old from 600 hours to 1140. This will enable more choice and flexibility in the way these funded hours can be accessed and taken up. Assisting with parents and carer employment arrangements or can help with opportunities to return to work, or undertake training or study.
When the additional hours are phased in, they will be permanently available and continue through to statutory implementation. However, in some instances there may be a few changes in response to parental feedback, places or staffing requirements but the expectation is that the majority will remain the same.
What does it look like in East Lothian?
Funded providers, which will include Childminders, Private Day Nurseries will often offer greater choice and flexibility. Parents will need to consider their own needs and which provider can best meet these.
As part of the 1140 hour criteria each funded child will receive one meal depended on hours funded and in which setting.
Is 1140 hours only available in local authority nursery settings currently?
Currently we are working with our funded providers and childminders to enable the hours to be available with them. This can be solely with them as a single provider or within a “blended model” meaning the funded hours can be taken up across two providers. For example a Childminder and Local Authority Nursery or Private Day Nursery and Local Authority Nursery
Please find more information regarding 1140 hours at https://www.eastlothian.gov.uk/info/210642/early_learning_and_childcare/12629/early_learning_and_childcare_in_east_lothian
How will I be involved?
Where a Local Authority Nursery or Funded Provider is participating in the 1140 hours, you will be invited to attend a consultation with your manager. This is to find out more about the expansion of hours to 1140, potential models, any suggestions you may have on adapting the model to your needs and what this means/looks like.
You can take up as much or as little of the hours you wish. Feedback from families who are accessing the increased hours is positive and highlights many benefits. Reporting positive developments in their child’s social skills, confidence and language and described their children as settled, happy and making new friends. From examining progress on the trial years it has been decided the model for August 2023 to June 2024 will be the following (please note we have a minimum of two sessions per week)
Seahorse nursery has 3 option for 1140 hours
Option 1: 22.5 hours over 50 weeks
Option 2: 28.5 over 40 weeks (term time)
Option 3: Blended with other funded provide
If you have any questions, please ask to speak with Suzanne directly. For all new children funding will start on 14th August 2023 for their 50 weeks, this is so the funding calendar comes in alignment with the school calendar and will finish on Friday 9th August.
To ensure there is no gaps children who have already been funded their funding will begin on 24th July 2023 and will end on 19th July 2024.
Term time funding will start on 14th August and will end 28th June 2024.