Government Funded Childcare in England
Helping families access funded early education and childcare
At Wisbech Day Nursery, we understand that understanding the different Government-funded childcare offers can sometimes feel confusing. There are several different entitlements available to families, depending on your child’s age and your family’s circumstances.
Our team is here to help you understand the funding available to you and how it can be used at nursery.
Government funding is provided to support eligible families with the cost of early education and childcare. The amount of funding available depends on your child’s age and your eligibility.
What funded childcare is available?
15 hours Universal Funding for all 3 and 4-year-olds
All children in England, are entitled to a maximum of 570 hours of universal funded early education each year, usually taken as:
15 hours per week for 38 weeks of the year – 540 hours per year
This entitlement starts from the term following your child’s third birthday and continues until they start school.
At Wisbech Day Nursery, we may be able to offer funded hours flexibly, depending on availability and our funding arrangements.
Working Parents Funded Childcare
Eligible working parents may be entitled to up to 30 hours of government-funded childcare per week, for 38 weeks of the year, from the term after your child turns 9 months old until the child starts school, subject to the government’s eligibility criteria.
The maximum funded entitlement is 1,140 hours per year, calculated as:
30 hours × 38 weeks = 1,140 funded hours per year
At Wisbech Day Nursery, parents may choose to access their eligible funded hours on a stretched basis across the year, subject to availability and the nursery’s funding arrangements. This allows the annual entitlement of 1,140 hours to be spread over 50 weeks of the year.
Where the full 1,140-hour entitlement is stretched over 50 weeks, this equates to a maximum of:
22.8 funded hours per week × 50 weeks = 1,140 funded hours per year
The stretched offer does not increase the child’s annual entitlement. It simply distributes the child’s 1,140 funded hours more evenly across the year.
Parents must have a valid government eligibility code for the nursery to claim funding. Parents are responsible for applying for and reconfirming their eligibility through the government’s childcare account when required.
The funded entitlement is subject to the government’s eligibility criteria, funding regulations and the nursery’s published funding terms and conditions. Funded hours are allocated in accordance with the nursery’s available sessions and cannot be used to exceed the child’s annual entitlement.
Any hours attended above the child’s funded entitlement, together with any applicable additional charges, will be payable by the parent in accordance with the nursery’s current fee structure and funding agreement.
Early Learning childcare for eligible 2-year-olds
Some 2-year-olds may be entitled to 15 hours of funded early learning childcare per week for 38 weeks of the year if they meet the Government’s eligibility criteria.
Eligible working parents may also be able to access the working parent entitlement.
Check your eligibility for Early Learning Childcare for
When can my child’s funded hours start?
Funded childcare does not automatically begin when your child reaches the required age. The start date depends on when your child’s birthday falls within the term.
For example, for the universal 15-hour entitlement:
| Your child’s birthday | Funding starts |
|---|---|
| 1 January – 31 March | 1 April |
| 1 April – 31 August | 1 September |
| 1 September – 31 December | 1 January |
Working parent funding has its own eligibility and application requirements, so we recommend checking your eligibility and applying as early as possible.
How do I apply?
Parents applying for the working parent entitlement need to apply through the Government’s childcare service.
If you are eligible, you will receive an 11-digit eligibility code. You must provide this code to us so that we can check your eligibility and claim the funding on your behalf.
It is important that you:
- Apply before the relevant deadline.
- Give your eligibility code to the nursery.
- Provide the required information and documentation.
- Reconfirm your eligibility every three months through your Government childcare account.
- Tell us if your circumstances change.
You can check your eligibility and apply through the official Government website:
Check your eligibility for funded childcare – GOV.UK
You can also use the Government’s childcare service to find out what support may be available to your family:
Find out what childcare support you can get – GOV.UK
What does the funding cover?
Government funding is intended to contribute towards the core cost of providing your child’s funded childcare.
However, funding does not cover every cost associated with attending nursery. Government guidance confirms that funding does not cover items such as meals, snacks, nappies, sun cream, additional hours or optional activities.
At Wisbech Day Nursery, we will always explain any additional charges that may apply before your funded place begins.
There must not be a mandatory charge that is a condition of accessing a funded place.
Funding and your child’s normal nursery sessions
Funded hours are different from a completely free nursery place.
Your child may attend nursery for more hours than your funded entitlement covers. Any hours outside your funded allocation will be charged at the set rates.
For example, if your child attends for 57.5 hours per week (a full-time place) and you are entitled to 22.8 funded hours, the remaining 34.7 hours would be charged at the set rate.
Please click here for our current fees, sessions not shown can be quoted on request.
What happens if my circumstances change?
Your eligibility for working parent funding can change if your circumstances change.
It is your responsibility to keep your Government childcare account up to date and reconfirm your eligibility when required.
If you stop being eligible, you may be entitled to a grace period, during which your funded hours can continue for a limited time. Please speak to us if your circumstances change so that we can explain how this may affect your child’s place.
We are here to help
Government-funded childcare can be complicated, but you don’t have to work it out alone.
At Wisbech Day Nursery, we are happy to talk you through the different funding options and help you understand how your funded hours can work alongside your child’s normal nursery sessions.
If you are unsure which funding you may be entitled to, we recommend checking the latest information on the official GOV.UK website.
Find out more about funded childcare:
GOV.UK – Find free early education and childcare
Important information
Government childcare funding and eligibility criteria can change. The information on this page is intended as a general guide for parents and was correct at the time of publication. Parents should always check the latest eligibility requirements and application deadlines on GOV.UK.
If you have any questions about funded childcare at Wisbech Day Nursery, please speak to a member of our team. We are always happy to help.