Free Funded Childcare Places.

Balancing family life can be tough, especially when it comes to managing the costs associated with nursery care. Fortunately, there are various forms of financial support available to help parents. From 15 to 30 hours of free childcare each week for 38 weeks a year, families can ease their financial burden significantly. Additionally, options like Tax-Free Childcare and Universal Credit can further assist in covering nursery expenses.

Eligibility

All children age 3 to 4 years who live in England are entitled to the universal nursery education grant funding (NEG), this will take effect from the term after their third birthday, Nursery will apply for the universal entitlement for your child and will provide you with a form containing your child’s details to check and sign. The funding is for 570 hours for each funding year.

Working parent entitelment, if you live and work in England you may be entitled to 30 hours funded childcare support from the term after your child turns 9 months old, until they start school, so a total of 1140 hours a year. Eligibility criteria will apply. Parents can check their eligibility and apply for 30 hours through childcare choices web-site.

If eligible, the parent will receive an 11-digit eligibility code. Before a parent can take up a place they must bring their code, national insurance number and child’s birth certificate to us so we can check that their code is valid. Parents should bring us their code as soon as they receive it. Parents cannot take up a 30 hours place until we have validated their code. Every three months parents will need to confirm that the details they entered on their application are up to date. Childcare services willl send you an email reminders and text messages when this is due.

Parents with eligible children aged 2 years who receive additional support can contact us, the provider, or the local council to apply for this scheme. You may also be eligible for an additional 15 hours under the working parent entitlement. If so you will need to apply for a code through the Childcare Service.

Changes to childcare support means you might now be eligible for more help than ever before, For more information on eligibility and how to apply for extended entitlement visit; Childcare Choices.

childcare choices .gov.uk

Payments

Payment deductions from invoices will be calculated over the year, the payment for the hours claimed per week will be caluclated over the 38 weeks, this amount will be divided into 12 then deducted from your monthly fees, any under or over payments will be re calculated on your final invoice, making sure you have received your full entitlement.

We offer flexibility and stretch provision for children attending a free funded place and will work with parents to ensure that as far as possible the pattern of hours are convenient for parents working hours. However please note that availability is very restricted, particularly on our busiest days so please book early.

Children who are attending the funded hours only, (term time) will attend a total of 38 weeks per funded year and will be required to pay £8.00 per day or £4.50 per morning session, and £3.50 per afternoon session for meals and snacks; alternatively, you can provide a healthy packed lunch/tea.

For more information please contact the Nursery Manager.

15 Hours

All 3 and 4-year-olds

who live in England are entitled to this offer irrespective of income levels, benefit status, or family circumstances.

30 Hours

For children aged 9 months to 4 years.

From September 2025, 15 hours for eligible working families will expand to 30 hours, meaning eligible working parents can now apply for 30 hours of childcare from the term after their child turns 9 months until they reach school age.

2 years old

2-year-old can get funded early learning if you live in England and get any of the following benefits: Income Support, income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA), income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA), Universal Credit, and your household income is £15,400 a year or less after tax, not including benefit payments, the guaranteed element of Pension Credit.