Childcare Funding<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We accept both government-funded hours and Tax-Free Childcare. Here’s how each scheme works, who qualifies, and how to apply \u2014 plus how we can help you use them alongside your sessions with us.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ask us about funding<\/a>Check eligibility<\/a>Funded hours<\/a>Tax-Free Childcare<\/a>How to apply<\/a>Combining schemes<\/a>FAQs<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Government funded hours<\/p>\n\n\n\n 15 or 30 hrs<\/p>\n\n\n\n per week, term time, for eligible families<\/p>\n\n\n\n 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\u20134-year-olds.See how to apply \u2192<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n To qualify as a working family,<\/strong> 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 \u00a3100,000 a year. Universal Credit and some other benefits can also affect eligibility for the disadvantaged 2-year-old entitlement \u2014 we’re happy to help you check.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Funded hours can be stretched or used term-time only.<\/strong> 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 1<\/p>\n\n\n\n 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 2<\/p>\n\n\n\n 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 3<\/p>\n\n\n\n You’ll usually receive an 11-digit eligibility code within minutes, and always within 7 days. Save this somewhere safe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 4<\/p>\n\n\n\n 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 5<\/p>\n\n\n\n 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Term deadlines matter.<\/strong> 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\nTwo main ways to fund your childcare<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Funded childcare hours<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
<div class=\"bw-scheme-card\" id=\"tax-free-childcare\">\n <span class=\"bw-scheme-card__tag\">Tax-Free Childcare<\/span>\n <div class=\"bw-scheme-card__stat\">Up to \u00a32,000<\/div>\n <div class=\"bw-scheme-card__stat-label\">government top-up per child, per year<\/div>\n <h3>Tax-Free Childcare<\/h3>\n <p>For every \u00a38 you pay into a Tax-Free Childcare account, the government adds \u00a32 \u2014 up to \u00a32,000 per child per year (\u00a34,000 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>\n <a href=\"#tax-free-childcare-detail\">See how it works \u2192<\/a>\n<\/div>\n<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\nFunded childcare hours, explained<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Scheme<\/th> Who it’s for<\/th> Hours<\/th><\/tr><\/thead> 30 hours funded childcare<\/td> Working families, child aged 9 months to school age<\/td> Up to 30 hrs\/week, 38 weeks a year<\/td><\/tr> 15 hours funded childcare (working families)<\/td> Working families who don’t yet meet the 30-hour threshold, or are transitioning<\/td> Up to 15 hrs\/week, 38 weeks a year<\/td><\/tr> 15 hours universal entitlement<\/td> All 3 & 4-year-olds, regardless of parents’ work status<\/td> Up to 15 hrs\/week, 38 weeks a year<\/td><\/tr> 15 hours for disadvantaged 2-year-olds<\/td> Families receiving certain benefits, or children with an EHC plan<\/td> Up to 15 hrs\/week, 38 weeks a year<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n How to apply for funded hours<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Check you’re eligible<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Apply online<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Get your code<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Share your code with us<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Reconfirm every 3 months<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Tax-Free Childcare, explained<\/h2>\n\n\n\n