Bright Start Priority Early Learning

Bright Start Priority Early Learning 

The Bright Start Priority Early Learning panels meet each term to coordinate childcare placements and additional hours for children who are in need. Children are identified as being a priority by Islington Children’s Services, Whittington Health, early education providers and other health and early help professionals.  

All Islington professionals working in health, early education and early help can make a request for Priority Early Learning Places. You can find the accessibility criteria at the bottom of the page or in appendix one of the guidance document. 

Places are not automatically free of charge. For two, three and four year olds, you will need to complete a free entitlement eligibility check before submitting a request.

Working parents may be asked to complete an income assessment to see how much you have to contribute to the cost of a place.

You can make requests for the following places. 

• Bright Start Priority Place (15 hours) for a child not already in a place - these places are funded in Islington Children's Centres and some childminders. More information about which settings have funded places can be found in appendix 7 of the guidance document.
• Additional 15 hours for a child already attending a Bright Start Priority Place - applications can only be made for children who have previously been agreed for a Bright Start Priority Place.
• Additional 15 hours for a three or four year old not meeting the eligibility criteria for free entitlement - these requests can be made by the childcare provider of Islington resident children who are already in the nursery provision and who are not eligible for the national free 30 hours due to falling below the minimum income criteria but, due to their complex needs, could benefit from a full-time place.
• A holiday place/additional hours in a children's centre/childminder over and above core day hours - in some circumstances where core day hours are not sufficient a request for additional hours or holiday places can be made. Children under three are usually only allocated 15 hours core day. Any requests for hours over and above this are only agreed in exceptional circumstances.
• A request to transfer a child in a Bright Start Priority Place to another setting - hours agreed at panel do not automatically transfer if a child moves setting. Requests need to be made to panel with relevant information about the change in circumstances. Priority will always be given to children not already attending a setting.

How to apply

Before making an application, read the terms of reference and guidance document. The guidance lists the questions that you will be asked in the application process and explains the information the panel requires.  

As part of the application process you must demonstrate: 

• why the priority place is required
• what difference it will make
• how the impact will be measured. 

All applications must be discussed and agreed with the child's parent or guardian. We may require a family income assessment.

All professionals submitting a request must complete the online form by the specified deadline for priority consideration of a child for under-fives provision or additional hours at the child’s existing provider. 

Before starting your application, check which Bright Start area the child lives in so that the application goes to the correct panel meeting.

To do this, enter the child’s postcode into the Islington postcode search box, click search and then select the ‘Children’s Centres and Bright Start family services’ option. 

Childcare charges for additional hours

Hours over and above the free early education must be paid for according to agreed fee structures.

• Private, voluntary and independent (PVI) providers and childminders set their own fees.
• Voluntary providers with a council childcare subsidy and council-run early years centres should apply the Islington childcare charges for children under five in Islington.
• Islington schools are encouraged to follow Islington childcare charges for children under five in Islington.

Further information and advice for early years providers can be found on Childcare Choices.

Bright Start Priority Early Learning Panel dates for 2025

Bright Start Central  

Bright Start North

Bright Start South

Urgent requests

If your request is urgent and cannot wait until the next panel meeting, email PriorityEarlyLearning@islington.gov.uk. The eligibility criteria for urgent requests is:

• the child has a recently opened CIN, CP plan which has recommendations within the plan for a nursery placement as soon as possible
• the case has recently been allocated shortly after a panel and the it is in the child’s best interest to be placed in a nursery as soon as possible, for safeguarding reasons
• there is a crisis within the family and the place is needed urgently.

Request a Priority Early Learning Place

To request a priority early learning place, professionals should complete a Priority Early Learning request form. Read the terms of reference if it is your first time making a request. 

Ask the Family Information Service

The Family Information Service (FIS) can support parents to apply for funded entitlements and provide information about other funding available to help meet childcare costs. Contact FIS on 020 7527 5959 or email FIS@islington.gov.uk. 

Queries 

If you have a question that is not answered in the guidance document, contact Sarah Bolden, Priority Early Learning Coordinator on PriorityEarlyLearning@islington.gov.uk.

Appendix 1: eligibility criteria