Making quality early education accessible for your family.
Navigating childcare costs can be overwhelming, but there are several government grants and funding options available to help reduce your fees. Below is a guide to help you understand what financial support your family might be eligible for.
Discover Your Childcare Entitlements
15 Hours for 3 and 4-Year-Olds
Universal: Yes
Every child in the country is entitled to
15 hours of funded early education per week. This universal benefit automatically begins the term immediately following your child’s 3rd birthday.
Academy will apply for this
on your behalf
15 Hours for 2-Year-Olds
Eligibility-Based: Yes
This funding is available to 2-year-olds whose parents are working (under the new government rollout) or families receiving certain forms of
government support.
You should speak to your local council unless you receive a letter.
30 Hours for 3 and 4-Year-Olds
Eligibility-Based: Yes
Working families may qualify for an extended 30 hours of funded childcare. To be eligible, both parents (or the sole parent in a single-parent household) must earn at least the equivalent of 16 hours a week at the National Minimum or Living Wage, and earn less than
£100,000 net per year.
You must apply for this specific funding directly through the government’s Childcare Choices website.
IMPORTANT
Upcoming Changes to Funded Hours
The government is expanding childcare support in phases. Here is what you need to know about the upcoming timeline:
From April 2024: 15 funded hours become available for 2-year-olds of eligible working parents.
From September 2024: 15 funded hours will be extended to children from 9 months old up to 3 years old.
From September 2025: 30 funded hours will be available for all eligible working parents with children from 9 months old up to school age.
Important Note on “Stretched” Funding:
Government funding is officially designed to cover 38 weeks of the year (term time only). Because our nursery operates year-round, we “stretch” these funded hours across the 51 weeks we are open. This ensures your monthly invoice remains consistent throughout the year.
When Does My Child’s Funding Start?
Funding eligibility is tied to standard school terms. Depending on when your child’s birthday falls, they will become eligible for their funded hours at the start of the following term:
Birthday falls between:
1st January – 31st March
- Funding begins: Summer Term
Birthday falls between:
1st April – 31st August
- Funding begins: Autumn Term
Birthday falls between:
1st September – 31st December
- Funding begins: Spring Term
Tax-Free Childcare
Tax-Free Childcare is a government initiative designed to help working parents with the cost of childcare. For every £8 you pay into your online childcare account, the government will add £2, up to a maximum of £2,000 per child per year.
How to Apply for Tax-Free Childcare:
- Visit the official government portal at gov.uk/tax-free-childcare.
- Set up your Government Gateway account (if you don’t already have one) and create an online childcare account.
- Fill out the required information to verify your identity and confirm your eligibility.
- Once approved, you will receive a unique reference number for your child.
- Search for our nursery within the provider portal and link us to your account.
- Transfer funds from your personal bank account into your new Tax-Free Childcare account.
- The government will automatically apply their 20% top-up to your deposited funds.
- Use the combined funds in your Tax-Free account to pay your regular nursery invoices. Ensure you set up the payments to reach us by the required due date.
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