Child Care Funding
There are two types of free childcare funding, that is 30 hrs or 15 hrs.
30 Hours free childcare funding
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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.
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Eligible working parents may access up to 30 hours of government-funded
childcare per week for children from the age of 9 months until they reach
school age. This initiative is intended to offer significant financial relief by
substantially offsetting early years childcare costs, thereby enabling families
to better manage their budgets during this critical developmental period.
Eligibility Criteria
To qualify for 30 funded hours of childcare, parents must meet a set of defined
criteria. These requirements ensure that support is provided specifically to working
families who would benefit most from help with childcare expenses.
- Parents are required to work at least 16 hours per week at the National
Minimum Wage. This is equivalent to approximately £195 per week or
£10,158 per year as of April 2025.
- Each parent’s adjusted net income must not exceed £100,000 per year.
- The funding is available starting from the term following the child’s 9th month,
continuing until the child begins school.
Additionally, families in receipt of extra support may be eligible for 15 hours of
funded childcare per week
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To get started, you’ll need to apply through the Childcare Choices website and get an eligibility code.
15 Hours free childcare funding
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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.
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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.
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Please go to this website Best Start in Life 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.
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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.
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Get in touch with us to discuss the various options on offer.