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Funding for your 2
year old
In April 2024 the government opened the door for working families to apply for childcare funding tailored for 2-year-olds. This scheme was designed to support early development and ease the financial burden on families, it aims to provide valuable opportunities for children to learn, play, and grow in a nurturing environment.
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Funding options
15 Hours Childcare Funding For Working Families
The initiative offers up to 15 hours of funded childcare each week, spanning across 38 weeks of the year. To qualify: Each parent must earn a minimum equivalent to 16 hours a week at the national minimum wage. Earnings will be under £100,000 adjusted net income/year.
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Stretched funding hours
We understand the balancing act between work and family. That is why we offer the option to stretch your funded hours over 51 weeks instead of the standard 38, using fewer hours per week but over a longer period. This provides consistent childcare throughout the year, reducing the need for additional arrangements during school holidays and giving your child a steady routine that fits around your family's lifestyle.
15 Hours of Stretched Funding Care
Traditionally allocated over the 38 weeks of term time, you have the option to extend this schedule to cover up to a 51-week period. By doing so, the weekly hours adjust to approximately 11 hours.
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Essentials and extras
While government funding significantly offsets childcare costs, there may be additional fees for essentials and extras, such as all meals, nappies, wipes, sun cream, trips and extra curriculum. We’re committed to transparency and will provide a detailed breakdown of all costs at your nursery visit. Please find out more via Essentials and Extras.
Frequently Asked Questions
You can apply from when your child is 1 year and 36 weeks for 15 hours free childcare.
Funding is only applicable for working parents.
Yes, self-employed parents are eligible for funded childcare, provided they meet the minimum income requirements through their self-employment.
If you have more than one job, combine your earnings from all employment to see if you meet the eligibility criteria, specifically the minimum of 16 hours per week at the national minimum wage and a maximum annual income of £100,000.
For irregular income, use the average of your expected earnings over the current tax year to determine eligibility.
Yes, having a National Insurance Number is a prerequisite for applying for funded childcare.
The stretching option allows you to spread your funded hours over more weeks by using fewer hours each week, providing increased flexibility to match your family's schedule.
You need to reconfirm your eligibility details on your gov.uk account every three months to continue receiving funding.
The daily use of funded hours depends on the nursery's availability and opening hours. The funding is allocated on a pro-rata basis across the year, rather than by specific days.
Unfortunately, hours are allocated on a pro-rata basis throughout the year, maintaining a consistent weekly routine regardless of holidays or sickness.
Please discuss your needs with the nursery manager as soon as possible. They will do their best to accommodate additional bookings, which will incur a non-funded charge.
Fees vary due to differing operational costs across geographical locations, impacting the charges between our various nurseries.
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