Government Funding

Government Funding/Help towards paying for childcare

There is Government help with childcare costs for parents. Please visit this website for further details: https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/

Children already become eligible for the free early education entitlement from the funding period following their third birthday as shown below. This will be the same for the additional entitlement.

Children who turn three between:	Become eligible for their free entitlement from:
1 January to 31 March	1 April
1 April to 31 August	1 September
1 September to 31 December	1 January

Tax Free Childcare

For working families, including the self-employed, in the UK
With children under 12 (or under 17 if disabled)
For every £8 you pay in, the government will add an extra £2, up to £2,000 per child per year

“2 Year old – “15 hour funding”

For families in England, receiving some forms of support
With 2-year-old children
“15 hours of free childcare” or early education for 38 weeks
To be able to take up 15 hours of free childcare for your two-year-old you or your child must meet the eligibility criteria. Please visit GOV.UK – external link for further information.
A total of 570 hours per year, that you can use flexibly with one or more childcare provider
We only offer this funding on a ‘stretch’ basis – i.e. the hours over 51 weeks, using fewer hours per week. We do not offer term time only places

3&4-year-old – “15-hour funding”

For all families in England
With 3 and 4-year-old children
15 hours of free childcare or early education for 38 weeks
A total of 570 hours per year, that you can use flexibly with one or more childcare provider

We only offer this funding on a ‘stretch’ basis – i.e. the hours over 51 weeks, using fewer hours per week. We do not offer term time only places

3&4-year-old – “30-hour funding”

For working families in England
With 3 and 4-year-old children
30 hoursof free childcare or early education for 38 weeks
A total of 1,140 hours per year, that you can use flexibly with one or more childcare provider
We only offer this funding on a ‘stretch’ basis – i.e. the hours over 51 weeks, using fewer hours per week. We do not offer term time only places

How to Apply

Parents have to apply online for the additional hours
https://childcare-support.tax.service.gov.uk/par/app/applynow
If you are successful, you will be issued with a code. You must provide us with this code. Every three months, families will need to re-confirm their eligibility on the HMRC website to continue with the funding. If eligibility is not reconfirmed, parents will lose the additional free hours for their child.

Tax Credits for Childcare

For working families, in the UK
With children under 16 (or under 17 if disabled)
70% of childcare costs, up to a cap
If you cannot make a new claim for Tax Credits, you may be able to apply for Universal Credit

Universal Credit for Childcare

For working families claiming Universal Credit, in England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales
With children under 17
85% of eligible childcare costs, up to a cap