Administering the Free Early Education Entitlement (FEEE)

Resources for childcare providers

The Early Years Team support providers commissioned by Cheshire East to deliver the free early education entitlement.

Data collection and submission

Parental declaration form

A parental declaration form (MS Word, 290KB) is an agreement between parents and their chosen provider(s) in respect of receiving the early education entitlements. Providers must complete a parental declaration with the parent before a child first takes up an entitlements place.

The declaration sets out the hours and patterns of access to the free entitlements that the parent and provider have agreed to.

Parents are required to complete a new parental declaration form if the information on the current form changes, for example, change of address, reduction or increase in the number of hours they take up.

Childcare providers must retain copies of their parental declaration forms for data retention and auditing purposes.

Establishment portal

Childcare providers must submit their data online through Cheshire East’s Establishment Portal to claim funding. Before the start of each term, providers submit details for every funded child to receive a 70% interim payment. Throughout the term, providers update the data by adding new starters and adjusting information for children who leave. These updates ensure an accurate balancing payment, which is made towards the end of the term.

• Early Years - Establishment Portal user guide (PDF, 2.5MB)
• Early Years Establishment Portal training YouTube video

Additional FEEE  documents

• Early Years expansion grant 2025-26 end of financial year statement of grant usage (PDF, 100KB)
• FEEE weeks data deadlines and payment dates 2025-26 and 2026-27 (PDF, 70KB)
• Early Years lunchtime in schools (PDF, 130KB)
• Frequently asked questions for childminders (PDF, 208KB)
• The Early Education and Childcare Entitlements Statutory Guidance - frequently asked questions about charging (PDF, 297KB)
• Early Years Pupil Premium tracking grid (MS Word, 55KB)
• Early Years Census - section 3 guidance notes (MS Word, 70KB)
• Charging information for parents (MS Word, 60KB)
• Invoicing guidance (MS Word, 70KB)
• DocuSign signing guidance (PDF, 230KB)
• Tax free childcare poster (PDF, 210KB)
• Privacy notice - how we use pupil information (MS Word, 50KB) 

Data protection

• Data protection for early year providers

Free early education and childcare for 2 year olds

Two year old children from families meeting a strict economic criteria, or children who are cared for, can apply for free early education and childcare.

Further information can be found on our funding childcare for 2 year olds page, including leaflets for parents. Alternatively, parents can contact our Family Information Service.

Document accessibility