To ensure that you receive correct funding for your eligible children you will need to submit headcount information on the portal on the dates shown below.
Headcount dates for 2026:
- Spring - Thursday 15th January
- Summer - Thursday 21st May
- Autumn - Thursday 1st October
Look out for dates of training workshops to help you to complete the necessary information on the portal.
Please contact the business team at eychildminders@lambeth.gov.uk if you need further advice.
Note: All parent declaration forms are now to be uploaded on the portal at headcount.
Working Parents - code eligibility period information
Code application deadlines
- 31st March 26 for Summer term start (April 26)
- 31st August 26 for Autumn term start (September 26)
- 31st December 26 for Spring term start (January 27)
Please note that codes applied within the term are not eligible, they must be applied one term beforehand.
Providers are to check the code eligibility status:
- To ensure the code is valid for the term
- Codes must be reconfirmed every 3 months.
What a provider needs to perform an eligibility check or verify for working parents code on the Synergy provider portal:
- Parent NI. Number or NASS Reference Number
- Child date of birth
- Code (DERN)
The code verification will give you the start date, end date, and the grace period of the code.
Start date: This indicates when the code can be used. (This date should be the term before, e.g. codes start dates in January 2026 are not eligible for the spring term 2026)
End date: Parents must reconfirm their codes; they will enter into a grace period after this date. Good practice is for the provider to notify parents within 5 working days.
Grace period: Allows children to retain their place for a short period if parents become ineligible. During this period, the child cannot transfer to or start another nursery.
Any queries, contact the Business & Workforce Development Team on: eychildminders@lambeth.gov.uk