Early Years Funding

Links to www.childcarechoices.gov.uk to apply for 30 hours funding, and tax free childcare and information on 15 hr free childcare for 2 year and 3-5 year old funding. Childcare vouchers schemes accepted through parents employment.

Help with Childcare costs – 15 Hours Funding Information

Age 2:

For families in England, receiving some forms of support
With 2-year-old children
15 hours of free childcare or early education a week

If eligible, you’re entitled to 570 hours of free childcare a year, to use flexibly.

You will be eligible if you are getting a form of support, including:

Income Support
Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
Tax credits and have an annual income under £16,190 before tax

You’ll also be eligible if any of the following apply to your child:

they’re looked after by a local council
they have a current statement of special education needs (SEN) or an education, health and care (EHC) plan
they get Disability Living Allowance
they’ve left care under a special guardianship order, child arrangements order or adoption order

Available at participating:

Nurseries and nursery classes
Playgroups and pre-school
Childminders
Sure Start Children’s Centres

From 1 January, 1 April or 1 September following your child’s 2nd birthday.

Full details and how to get 15 hours in England

Age 3-4

For all families in England
With 3 and 4-year-old children
15 hours of free childcare or early education a week

You’re entitled to 570 hours of free childcare a year, to use flexibly.

Available at participating:

Nurseries and nursery classes
Playgroups and pre-school
Childminders
Sure Start Children’s Centres

From 1 January, 1 April or 1 September following your child’s 3rd birthday.

Full details and how to get 15 hours in England

There are a further 570 hours available to three and four year olds for qualifying families. To check if you are eligible and to apply visit www.childcarechoices.gov.uk. If your application is successful you be given an 11 digit code for your child. Bring this together with your NI number and child’s date of birth. These hours can be accessed flexibly in our setting throughout 51 weeks of the year. Our stretched offer affords you more flexibility and aims to support a working family life.

30 HOURS FUNDING

30 Hours Funding

AGE 3&4:

For working families in England
With 3 and 4-year-old children
An extra 15 hours a week of free childcare – so 30 in all
A total of 1,140 hours per year, that you can use flexibly with one or more childcare provider

If you are eligible, 30 hours is available for 38 weeks of the year (just like the existing 15 hours scheme). Some providers will allow you to ‘stretch’ your 30 hours entitlement over 52 weeks, using fewer hours per week.

You, and any partner, must each expect to earn (on average) the equivalent of working 16 hours a week at your national minimum wage (£120 at the National Living Wage, less if you are on the National Minimum Wage)

If you, or your partner, are on maternity, paternity or adoption leave, or you’re unable to work because you are disabled or have caring responsibilities, you could still be eligible.

You can’t get 30 hours free childcare if you, or your partner, expect to earn £100,000 or more.

Your child can start in their childcare place the term after they turn 3 years old and have received a valid 30 hours code, whichever is later. Term start dates are 1^st September, 1^stJanuary and 1^st April.

You may get asked for further information as part of your application, so apply well ahead of the start date for each term.

To keep your 30 hours free childcare place you need to check your details are up to date every 3 months.

Available at participating:

Full day care (e.g nurseries)
Schools
Childminders
Sessional providers (e.g. playgroups)
Sure Start Children’s Centres
After school clubs

The 30 hours free childcare offer is not intended to cover the costs of meals, other consumables (such as nappies or sun cream), additional hours or additional activities (such as trips). Providers may charge a fee for these additions. If you choose to pay for these it is an arrangement between you and the childcare provider. However, you must not be required to pay any fee as a condition of taking up a 30 hours place, and must be offered alternative options.