Fees & Funding 

What is the 30-hours free childcare entitlement?

Currently all 3 and 4 year olds are entitled to up to 15 hours of free childcare and early education a week for up to 38 weeks a year. Children access this entitlement in school, Nursery classes, private Day Nurseries, Pre-schools and with Childminders. The Government has increased the free hours from 15 to 30 a week from September 2017 for eligible working parents.

Will I be eligible?

This will only be made available to families where both parents are working (or the sole parent is working in a lone parent family) and each parent earns, on average, a weekly minimum equivalent to 16 hours at national minimum wage (NMW) or national living wage (NLW), and less than £100,000 per year.

Therefore, to be eligible you must meet the following criteria:

• Your child was aged 3 or 4 after September 2017
• You work more than 16 hours per week
• You have an annual income of less than £100,000 (per parent or individually in a lone parent family)
• You live in England

When will my child become eligible for the funding?

Your child will become eligible for the funding at the start of the school term after their 3rd birthday

How do I check my eligibility and get a code?

Eligibility will be checked by HMRC via the government’s Childcare Choices website and will be based on actual income earned. You can check your eligibility, or apply for the 30-hours free childcare entitlement by visiting the Childcare Choices website at www.childcarechoices.gov.uk. If you are eligible, you will be given an 11-digit code which you will need to take to your childcare provider along with your national insurance number and your child’s birth certificate.

Your childcare provider will then use the government’s eligibility checking system to check that your code is valid. You will need to reconfirm your eligibility every 3 months and HMRC will send you a reminder to do so. You must have your 30-hours eligibility code before the start of the term your child becomes eligible, or you will not be able to access the 30 free hours until the following term.

What happens if I become ineligible for the offer, for example, because I lose my job?

If you no longer meet the eligibility criteria, your child’s 30-hours place will continue to be funded for a ‘grace period’. You should discuss this with your childcare provider if and when you lose eligibility.

Where can I take up my free entitlement?

The offer can be delivered by a range of approved providers which include:

• Childminders
• Nurseries
• Nursery classes in schools and academies
• Nurseries based in a Children’s Centre
• Private day nurseries, playgroups and pre-schools

What about paying using childcare vouchers/Government tax-free childcare?

We accept childcare vouchers schemes and tax free childcare payments.  See www.childcarechoices.gov.uk and www.gov.uk/get-tax-free-childcare for more information.