Childcare Funding – What are you entitled to?

Childcare costs can be difficult to cover, especially in the current climate. However, the Government do offer funded support towards these costs, which could significantly reduce the amount you are paying each month.

From April 1st 2024, families may now be entitled to 15 hours of funding for working parents of 2-year-olds, starting from the term after their 2nd birthday, and every child who lives in England is entitled to Universal funding from the term after their 3rd birthday, commonly known as “15 hours”. As we operate our nurseries for 51 weeks of the year but the 15 hours are allocated for term time only, across the whole year these hours are stretched and equate to 11 funded hours per week. If you meet certain criteria your child may also be entitled to Extended funding from the term after their 3rd birthday. This is often referred to as “30 hours”. When stretched over the full year that we are open this equates to 22 hours per week.

Below, we’ve answered some FAQ’s that may help you:

When is my child entitled to funding?

How much funding is my child entitled to?

2-year-old Working Families

Funding covers 38 weeks of the year, aligned with Local Authority school terms starting in the autumn term in September. The remaining 13 weeks of the year (school holidays) are not covered by funding.

Government funding is allocated as follows:

• 15 hours funding: Stretched over the full year that we are open this equates to 11 hours per week. Available for children where both parents should work at least 16 hours per week with both earning up to £100k per annum. Eligibility may extend to situations where one parent works, and the other receives specific benefits or is on parental leave.

3-year-olds

Funding covers 38 weeks of the year, aligned with Local Authority school terms starting in the autumn term in September. This equates to a maximum of 570 hours for Universal 15 hours Funding or 1140 hours with Extended 30 hours Funding within a full academic year. The remaining 13 weeks of the year (school holidays) are not covered by funding.

Government funding is allocated as follows:

• Universal 15 hours funding: Stretched over the full year that we are open this equates to 11 hours per week. Available for all 3 and 4-year-olds, offering 15 hours per week for 38 weeks annually, regardless of parental income or employment status.
• Extended 30 hours funding: Provides an additional 15 hours per week for 38 weeks per year. Stretched over the full year that we are open this equates to 22 hours per week. Both parents should work at least 16 hours per week with both earning up to £100k per annum. Eligibility may extend to situations where one parent works, and the other receives specific benefits or is on parental leave.

How do I apply for my child’s funding?

2-year-old Working Families

You apply online here on https://www.gov.uk/apply-free-childcare-if-youre-working.

You’ll need to make sure you have the following information to hand before starting the application:

• Your national insurance number (or unique taxpayer reference if you are self-employed)
• The date you started or are due to start work.
• Details of any government support or benefits you receive
• The UK birth certificate reference number (if you have one) for your child.

You may find out if you’re eligible straight away, but it can take up to 7 days.

Once your application has been approved, you’ll get a code for free childcare to give to your nursery.

Parents will be asked to reconfirm that they are still eligible for the support every 3 months and will be reissued their code.

3-year-olds

Universal 15 hrs funding: No application required as all 3 & 4-year-olds automatically qualify.

Extended 30 hrs funding: Apply online to obtain a “30-hour code” from when your child is 2 years and 36 weeks old at https://www.gov.uk/apply-free-childcare-if-youre-working. Once approved, you’ll receive your 11-digit eligibility code, which you will need to provide to the nursery, along with your National Insurance Number and child’s proof of date of birth.

If you have any further questions about the funding options available to you, please contact your nursery directly.