Fees & funding
Childcare funding, made clearer.
Most parents at Brambles use some funding. We'll help you work out what applies — and link you to the official GOV.UK eligibility checks.
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Where to start
Three things to check first.
Your child's age
Most funding kicks in from age 2 or age 3 — but working-parent funding starts from 9 months.
Your work situation
30-hour and Tax-Free Childcare depend on whether you (and your partner, if you have one) are working.
Your eligibility window
Funding codes have to be approved and re-confirmed every three months. We'll guide you through it.
Funding options
The four routes most families use.
All 3–4 year olds
15 hours — universal
Every 3 and 4 year old in England gets 15 hours of free early-years education per week during term time. No application needed.
How to apply: No application — funding starts the term after your child turns 3.
9 months – 4 years
30 hours — working parents
If you (and your partner, if you have one) are working, you may be eligible for an extra 15 hours on top. From April 2025, this extends to children from 9 months.
How to apply: Apply via GOV.UK to get an 11-digit code, then give it to us.
2 year olds
Two-year-old funding
Some 2 year olds qualify for 15 hours of funded early education — for working families and families on certain benefits.
How to apply: Check eligibility with Somerset Council, then send us your confirmation.
Up to 11 years
Tax-Free Childcare
For every £8 you pay into your Tax-Free Childcare account, the government adds £2 — up to £2,000 per child per year. Used to pay your nursery bill directly.
How to apply: Set up via GOV.UK, then pay your nursery invoice from the account.
Rules and amounts come from GOV.UK and Somerset Council and can change. We update this page when official guidance updates.
Pick what applies
Find the funding that fits your family.
Your situation
My child is 3–4
All 3 and 4 year olds get 15 hours universally. Working parents may add another 15 hours (30 in total) using a code from GOV.UK. Tax-Free Childcare can cover the rest if needed.
This is a guide. The official eligibility check is on GOV.UK.
Stretched offer
Spread your funded hours across 51 weeks.
Brambles is open 51 weeks a year, and your funded entitlement can be stretched to match — so your hours work alongside your real working week, not just term times. We'll model it for you on your visit.
How to apply funding to your fees
Once you have your code or confirmation:
- 1
Send us the code
Email the 11-digit code or your council confirmation to us.
- 2
We confirm session options
We'll match your funded hours to sessions that work for you.
- 3
Re-confirm each term
Working-parent codes need re-confirming every three months — we'll remind you.
Fees
Fees and any extra charges.
Fees depend on your child's age, the number of sessions and how funding combines. We'll send you a current fee sheet and worked example before you commit.
Request a fee sheet- ·Funded hours are stretched across 51 weeks of the year
- ·Freshly cooked meals are charged in addition
- ·Wellies and weatherproofs not included; we'll guide you on what to bring
- ·Trips and additional resources: occasional, we'll always ask first
- ·Late pickup charge applies after your session end time
Funding FAQs
The questions parents ask first.
Can I top up funded hours with paid sessions?
Yes — most families do, and we can mix funded and paid sessions to make the week work.
What happens during nursery holidays?
Funded hours follow the stretched funding model, but we don't charge or claim fees when the nursery is closed.
What if my circumstances change?
Tell us as soon as you can. Funding eligibility can change at re-confirmation — we'll help you re-check.
Do I have to be working to use Brambles?
No. Universal 15 hours for 3 and 4 year olds applies regardless of work status. Tax-Free Childcare and 2-year-old funding have their own rules.