Free Child Care Funding
There are two types of free childcare funding, that is 30 hrs or 15 hrs.
30 Hours free childcare funding
The 30 hrs free Funding Childcare is designed for working families for 3 or 4 year olds, for both parents living and working in the UK, both earning the equivalent of 16 hours a week at the national minimum wage or living wage and no more than £100,000 a year each.
Parents are entitled to up to 30 hours of funded childcare a week (1,140 hours per year and you can claim up to 30 hours of free childcare from the start of the term after your child turns 3.
Terms follow the school year. For example, if your child’s birthday is in July, provided you are eligible for 30 hours you’ll get the funding from September.
To get started, you’ll need to apply through the Childcare Choices website and get an eligibility code.
15 Hours free childcare funding
All Families with 3 and 4 year olds already get 15 hours of funded childcare per week in term time only. That’s a universal scheme, so everyone can benefit, whether they’re working or not. You’ll be eligible for funding from the start of the first term after your child’s 3rd birthday.
To make sure you get your code as soon as possible, you’ll need to apply before the end of the previous term. You don’t have to wait until then though. You can apply for your code up to 16 weeks before their third birthday, and it’s a good idea to do it early, just in case you need any help, talk to us at any time.
Please go to this website childcarechoices.gov.uk to apply and they’ll send you a code, which you’ll need to give to us so we can set your funded hours up. The scheme is set up that you will need to apply every three months to confirm that your circumstances have not changed and you are still eligible. Confirmation is very simple as they will always send you a reminder.
Even though the funding is available term time only, we can work with you to stretch over the year, meaning that your fees remain the same throughout.
Get in touch with us to discuss the various options on offer.