Overview
We understand that childcare funding can feel confusing. On this page, we explain the support available to families, how funded hours work at our nursery, and how to apply.
Option One
Fifteen hours funded childcare
All families in England are entitled to 15 hours of government-funded early education for children aged 3 and 4, starting from the term after your child turns three.
Some younger children may also qualify depending on family circumstances.
Key points
- Up to 15 hours per week.
- Provided for 38 weeks per year (term time) by the government.
- Delivered through approved childcare providers such as nurseries.
Option Two
Thirty hours funded childcare
Working families may qualify for 30 hours of funded childcare per week.
To be eligible, generally:
- Each parent must earn at least the equivalent of 16 hours per week at National Minimum Wage.
- Each parent must earn less than £100,000 per year.
- The child must be under school age.
This funding begins the term after your child becomes eligible, from 9 months old.
Tax-free Childcare
Support your costs with tax-free childcare
Tax-Free Childcare is a government scheme that helps parents with the cost of childcare.
For every £8 you pay into your childcare account, the government adds £2, up to £2,000 per child per year.
You can use Tax-Free Childcare to pay for:
- Nursery fees.
- Additional hours not covered by funding.
- Wraparound care.
Many families combine funded hours and Tax-Free Childcare to further reduce costs.
Families often worry that government funding won’t cover all their childcare needs, especially when nurseries are closed during the school holidays or for other breaks.
At our nursery, we understand that every family’s schedule is different, which is why we aim to provide childcare that fits around your year, not just the term time.
Government funding is typically based on 38 weeks per year (term time). Our nursery, however, is open 51 weeks a year giving families greater flexibility. To make this possible, we offer stretched funding.
Explore Nursery
Stretched Funding
What is stretched funding?
Instead of using funded hours only during term time, the total annual hours are spread across the whole year, helping families who need consistent childcare rather than support limited to school terms, as shown in the example below.
| Funding type | Term-time model | Stretched model |
|---|---|---|
| 15 hours | 15 hours for 38 weeks | Approx – 11 hours per week for 51 weeks |
| 30 hours | 30 hours for 38 weeks | Approx – 22 hours per week for 51 weeks |
