Funded Childcare & Fees
Helping working families save on childcare while giving children a brilliant start. Eligible families can access 15 or 30 hours funded childcare and may also use Tax-Free Childcare. You can choose term-time or stretched hours across the year for consistent fees and care.
Jump to the quick links below:
Funding & Fees Calculator
We know childcare costs can feel overwhelming, but you might be entitled to more support than you think. With government funding now available for many families from 9 months to 5 years old, our nurseries offer a simple funding calculator to help you see what you could pay.
Because fees and funding vary by location, the calculator is available on each nursery’s website. To explore your personalised breakdown, simply find your nearest Monkey Puzzle Nursery and visit their site.
Funding FAQ’s
Here are some of the questions we’re often asked by parents.
Tax-Free Childcare and the 30 Hours Funded Childcare schemes are separate government initiatives, but they can be used together to help families manage childcare costs more effectively.
Tax-Free Childcare offers valuable support for working parents by covering 20% of childcare costs through government contributions. Families can receive up to £2,000 per child annually, or £4,000 per year for children with disabilities, providing much-needed relief from the financial pressures of childcare. Meanwhile, the 30 Hours Free Childcare scheme offers a set number of ‘free’ childcare hours, giving parents additional relief.
By combining these two schemes, families can maximise their savings while ensuring access to quality childcare.
See if you’re eligible for tax free childcare.
You may hear the Government funding initiatives being called “free childcare” or “funded childcare” and used interchangeably. Both refer to government-supported early education and childcare programs, which entitle all 3-5 year olds to the universal 15-hours funding offering. This is set to be extended to the 30-hour scheme for working parents of all eligible children aged 9 months and above by September 2025.
The introduction of the 30 hours funded childcare scheme is a game-changer for working families and nurseries alike. Expanding the existing 15 hours of funded childcare provides working families with more than just substantial savings—it creates opportunities to increase household income. With reduced childcare costs, parents can work additional hours, easing financial pressures and enhancing their quality of life.
This form gives us permission to claim funding on your behalf from the local authority. Without it, we can’t process your claim. Late submissions could result in missed funding.
You’ll need to add your younger child to your HMRC account and apply for a new code for them separately.
You may still be eligible if your partner is working, or if you’re receiving maternity pay and planning to return to work. Apply and check your eligibility at childcarechoices.gov.uk.
Absolutely. Most of our families use a combination of funded and paid hours. We’ll tailor your sessions to suit your needs and apply funding accordingly.
Yes! You must reconfirm your eligibility every 3 months through your HMRC Childcare Account. Set a reminder so you don’t lose your funded hours.
No – unfortunately, funded hours cannot be carried forward. But we do stretch the entitlement across the year to support consistency for families.
30 hours = for working parents who meet the eligibility criteria (from 9months old onwards).
When stretched over 51 weeks, this equates to approximately 22 hours per week.
We offer funded places for eligible families; however, government funding does not cover the cost of the all-inclusive package we provide at Monkey Puzzle. Additional charges apply for meals, consumables (such as nappies, wipes, and sunscreen), trips, and any extra hours beyond the funded entitlement.
You can begin accessing your entitlements from the term following your child’s eligibility based on age. For the working parent entitlement, this becomes available once your child reaches 9 months of age from September 2025.
How to apply for funding
Benefits For Parents
How can I check if I’m eligible?
An eligibility code will be required for 30 hours funding. If you wish to apply for a code and to check your eligibility, you will need to set up a childcare account. Apply for free childcare if you’re working – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
You will need your personal details (and your partner’s, if applicable), including your:
- National Insurance number
- Unique Taxpayer Reference (UTR), if you are self-employed.
It usually takes 20 minutes to apply. You may find out if you’re eligible straight away, but it can take up to 7 days.
You will then need to provide your Monkey Puzzle Day Nursery with your 11-digit eligibility code, NI number and child’s DOB in order for them to be able to claim the Extended funding for your child.
For more details on the Extended funding please visit Childcare Choices | 30 Hours Childcare, Tax-Free Childcare and More | Help with Costs | GOV.UK
Why Choose Monkey Puzzle
- Award-winning nursery group with 47+ years experience.
- Dedicated baby, toddler, and preschool rooms.
- Tailored learning guided by the EYFS, focusing on each child’s interests.
- Nurturing, safe environments with highly trained, caring teams.
- Rich experiences – creative, outdoor and community-linked learning.
- Flexible for families, working with you on schedules and funding.
- Loved by parents – read our nursery reviews.
- Menus created following early years guidelines by nutritionist Laura Matthews.
Submit Your Enquiry
Monkey Puzzle Day Nurseries provide high-quality childcare for children aged 3 months to 5 years, offering bright, creative spaces that are Ofsted-approved.
Whether you’re interested in learning more about your local nursery, need information from our Head Office, or have any other questions, we’re here to help! Please use the form below to send us your enquiry, and our team will respond to you as soon as possible.
How Can We Help You?
General Enquiries: If you have questions about our nurseries, the services we offer, or something else, feel free to ask.
Nursery Locations: Need help finding the nearest Monkey Puzzle Day Nursery? We can provide you with information and assist with locations
Head Office Enquiries: For franchise or business-related enquiries, or if you need support from our head office team, we’re happy to assist.
Careers: Interested in joining our team? Find out more about current career opportunities
Parent and Carer Reviews
From our Daynurseries.co.uk reviews, find out what our parents have to say about their time at some of our Monkey Puzzle Day Nurseries and Preschools.