Childcare Funding
Making childcare more affordable for Stratford-upon-Avon families
We accept both government-funded hours and Tax-Free Childcare. Here’s how each scheme works, who qualifies, and how to apply — plus how we can help you use them alongside your sessions with us.
Ask us about fundingCheck eligibilityFunded hoursTax-Free ChildcareHow to applyCombining schemesFAQs
Two main ways to fund your childcare
Most families use one or both of these schemes alongside their fees with us. Both are accepted for our full-time, part-time and after-school places.
Government funded hours
15 or 30 hrs
per week, term time, for eligible families
Funded childcare hours
Working families in England can access up to 30 hours a week of funded childcare from the term after their child turns 9 months old, right up until they start school. Families who don’t meet the working criteria may still be entitled to 15 hours for eligible 2-year-olds, or the universal 15 hours for all 3–4-year-olds.See how to apply →
<div class="bw-scheme-card" id="tax-free-childcare">
<span class="bw-scheme-card__tag">Tax-Free Childcare</span>
<div class="bw-scheme-card__stat">Up to £2,000</div>
<div class="bw-scheme-card__stat-label">government top-up per child, per year</div>
<h3>Tax-Free Childcare</h3>
<p>For every £8 you pay into a Tax-Free Childcare account, the government adds £2 — up to £2,000 per child per year (£4,000 for a disabled child). It can be used to pay for the hours we provide outside of any funded entitlement, including breakfast, lunch and after-school sessions.</p>
<a href="#tax-free-childcare-detail">See how it works →</a>
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Funded childcare hours, explained
The funded hours scheme is run by the government and delivered through registered childcare providers like us. What you’re entitled to depends on your child’s age and your family’s working circumstances.
| Scheme | Who it’s for | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| 30 hours funded childcare | Working families, child aged 9 months to school age | Up to 30 hrs/week, 38 weeks a year |
| 15 hours funded childcare (working families) | Working families who don’t yet meet the 30-hour threshold, or are transitioning | Up to 15 hrs/week, 38 weeks a year |
| 15 hours universal entitlement | All 3 & 4-year-olds, regardless of parents’ work status | Up to 15 hrs/week, 38 weeks a year |
| 15 hours for disadvantaged 2-year-olds | Families receiving certain benefits, or children with an EHC plan | Up to 15 hrs/week, 38 weeks a year |
To qualify as a working family, each parent generally needs to earn the equivalent of at least 16 hours a week at National Minimum or Living Wage, and neither parent can have an individual income over £100,000 a year. Universal Credit and some other benefits can also affect eligibility for the disadvantaged 2-year-old entitlement — we’re happy to help you check.
Funded hours can be stretched or used term-time only. We’re happy to talk through how your hours work across the year, including school holidays, so there are no surprises about what’s funded and what isn’t.
How to apply for funded hours
1
Check you’re eligible
Use the government’s eligibility checker on GOV.UK, or ask us and we can point you in the right direction. You can apply from when your child is 23 weeks old.
2
Apply online
Sign in with your Government Gateway ID at GOV.UK, confirm your National Insurance number (and your partner’s, if you have one), and answer a few questions about your work and income over the next three months.
3
Get your code
You’ll usually receive an 11-digit eligibility code within minutes, and always within 7 days. Save this somewhere safe.
4
Share your code with us
Give us your code, National Insurance number and your child’s date of birth before the term deadline, and we’ll take care of the rest.
5
Reconfirm every 3 months
You’ll need to reconfirm your eligibility every three months through the same online account to keep your funding active. Missing reconfirmation is the most common reason families lose funding mid-year, so it’s worth setting a reminder.
Term deadlines matter. To start receiving funded hours from a given term, you typically need a valid code in place by 31 August (autumn term), 31 December (spring term) or 31 March (summer term). Apply in good time, as processing can take a few weeks if further checks are needed.
Tax-Free Childcare, explained
Tax-Free Childcare is a separate scheme from funded hours, and works a little differently. It’s useful for covering costs outside your funded entitlement, or if you don’t qualify for funded hours at all.
| Detail | What applies |
|---|---|
| Who it’s for | Working parents of children under 12 (under 17 if disabled) |
| Earnings requirement | Each parent must earn at least the National Minimum Wage equivalent of 16 hours a week |
| Income cap | Neither parent can earn more than £100,000 a year |
| Government top-up | £2 for every £8 you pay in, up to £2,000 per child per year |
| Disabled child allowance | Top-up rises to £4,000 per year |
Once your account is set up, you pay money in whenever suits you, and the government top-up is added automatically. You can then pay us directly from your Tax-Free Childcare account for any sessions not covered by funded hours — including breakfast, lunch, or after-school care.
Can you use both together?
Yes. Many of the families we work with combine funded hours with Tax-Free Childcare to cover the full picture of their childcare needs.
Funded hours + Tax-Free Childcare
Use your funded hours for the core weekly sessions, and Tax-Free Childcare to top up any extra hours, breakfast, lunch or after-school care beyond your entitlement.
Funded hours + Universal Credit childcare element
If you receive Universal Credit, you may be able to claim back up to 85% of eligible childcare costs alongside your funded hours — but you cannot combine Universal Credit’s childcare element with Tax-Free Childcare, so it’s worth checking which works out better for your family.
Tax-Free Childcare + workplace childcare vouchers
If you’re already registered for employer childcare vouchers, you generally can’t also open a new Tax-Free Childcare account — it’s usually one or the other, so compare which gives your family the better saving.
Every family’s situation is a little different. If you’re unsure which combination works best for you, the government’s Childcare Calculator on GOV.UK is a good starting point, and we’re always happy to talk it through.
Funding questions we’re often asked
Do you accept funded hours and Tax-Free Childcare?
Yes — we’re an approved, Ofsted-registered provider and accept both government-funded hours and Tax-Free Childcare payments.
My child is younger than 9 months — can I still get funding?
Funded hours start from the term after your child turns 9 months old. Before that, Tax-Free Childcare is worth looking into if you meet the working criteria, as there’s no minimum age.
Will funded hours cover breakfast, lunch and extras?
Funded hours cover the childcare element of your sessions. Any optional extras — such as meals or snacks — may still carry a small charge, which we keep transparent and voluntary. Tax-Free Childcare can be used to cover these.
What happens if I forget to reconfirm my eligibility?
If you miss a reconfirmation window, your funded hours can lapse and you may need to wait until the next term to restart them. We’d always recommend setting a calendar reminder every three months.
Can I split my child’s funded hours between you and another setting?
Yes, funded hours can usually be split between up to two childcare providers. Let us know if you’re doing this so we can coordinate the right number of sessions with you.
How do I know exactly what I’ll pay after funding?
Get in touch with your child’s age and the days you’re considering, and we’ll talk you through a clear breakdown of what’s funded and what you’d pay directly.
This page is a general guide to UK childcare funding schemes and isn’t financial advice. Eligibility rules, rates and deadlines are set by the government and can change — always confirm your personal entitlement using the GOV.UK Childcare Calculator or the official application service before making decisions based on it.
Not sure what you’re entitled to?
Tell us your child’s age and your circumstances, and we’ll help you work out which funding options apply to your sessions with us.Get in touch