Northampton parents say they could be forced to send children to nursery when sick due to funding change

Parents say they will be forced to reconsider sending their children to nursery when sick following changes to funded early education places.

West Northamptonshire Council has updated the wording on forms to access funding for early education and childcare places, to bring them in line with government guidance.

The form previously said ‘I understand I am only able to claim a maximum of 30 days absence in my child’s funded year, and will inform my early education and childcare provider of any absence’.

But since April the wording has been updated to say ‘I understand I am only able to claim a maximum of 10 consecutive days absence or 30 days absence over the funding year and I will be liable for childcare costs over and above’.

Some parents have raised concerns about children being sent into early education when sick for the fear of incurring extra fees.

Local parent Jasmine Matthews said: “This raises concerns for many families because nurseries require children to remain at home for at least 48 hours after symptoms such as vomiting or diarrhoea have stopped. Parents are therefore expected to comply with exclusion policies designed to protect other children, yet may now face financial penalties if illness-related absences exceed the stated threshold.

“This seems particularly relevant given the frequency of infectious illnesses circulating in early years settings. Hand, foot and mouth disease, norovirus and other childhood infections spread readily in nurseries.

“Parents have little control over when these illnesses occur, and repeated infections during a child’s first years in nursery are not uncommon.

“This policy could leave families paying for sessions they are unable to use while following health guidance and nursery exclusion rules intended to protect other children and staff.”

Another parent has raised concerns the policy will be backdated and leave parents facing bills.

Jo Bullimore-Smith said: “The council added a new clause without notifying any parents when they sign up to receive the funding and are now proposing the new clause is allowing them to backdate to September last year, despite the fact it was only added in April this year.
“Thousands of families are going to be affected by this change.
“This will result in hundreds of children being sent to childcare for fear of families not being able to afford to pay the full costs without any funding help.”

But West Northamptonshire Council says there has been no change to the policy position. They claim the wording has been updated to provide clarity around attendance expectations, absence and when charges may apply.

A spokeswoman said: “Parental and carer declaration forms are required to access funded early education and childcare places and are updated annually in line with Department for Education guidance.

“The 2026/27 form includes minor wording updates to improve clarity, including information on privately funded hours. These are routine updates and do not represent a change in policy.

"The council’s absence policy has been in place since 2021 and has not been subject to any change. As set out in Department for Education guidance, funding is only payable where a child is taking up their place and expected to attend. This has always been managed through the council’s provider agreement and established processes.

“Any questions about individual charges should be raised directly with the childcare provider."