FOI Request - Funded Childcare for Asylum Seekers, Refugees and Foreign Nationals

Request 101004004003

I request the following information regarding nursery care, funded early learning and childcare (ELC), and related entitlements for asylum seekers, refugees, and other foreign nationals with children aged 0–5 in Moray.

1. Entitlements for Asylum Seekers (and those supported under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999). Please provide details of current entitlements to nursery care / funded ELC for children of asylum seekers (including the exact eligibility criteria applied by the Council).

a) For children under 2 years old: Clarify any statutory or discretionary entitlement to funded/free nursery care, including typical or maximum hours allocated per week/year, and any conditions (e.g., based on support status, vulnerability, or referrals).

b) For children aged 2 years old: Clarify entitlement to the funded 1,140 hours ELC scheme, including hours per week (term-time or 50-week model) and how this is applied.

c) For children aged 3–5 years old (including those over 2 but under school age, and any deferred entry): Clarify entitlement to funded ELC, including hours allocated.

2. Total Expenditure on Nursery/ELC for Asylum Seeker Children. Please provide the total amount spent the Council (or through funded providers) on nursery care / funded ELC for children aged 0–5 whose families are asylum seekers (or in receipt of support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999), for the most recent full financial year available (and, if possible, the previous 5 years for comparison). Break this down by age group where possible (0–1, 2, 3–5).

3. Other Ways Asylum Seekers and Foreign Nationals Qualify for Reduced Fees or Funded Care. Please clarify any other routes by which asylum seekers, refugees, or otherforeign nationals (non-UK citizens) can qualify for reduced-fee, subsidised, or free nursery/ELC places (e.g., via social work referrals, additional support needs, destitution support, refugee status, or other discretionary schemes).