Funded Childcare

Learn more about funding

A maximum of 30 hours funded childcare is available for all children from working families +9 months.

15 hours universal funding is available for all 3- and 4-year-olds.

Some two-year-olds are also eligible for additional funded hours too if you are in receipt of extra support. Please contact your early years team or Family Information Service at your local council if you think you might be entitled.

All funding is ‘Term Time Only’ for 38 weeks of the year –

30 hours x 38 weeks = 1,140 hours
15 hours x 38 weeks = 570 hours

We stretch our funding over 51 weeks, giving 11.18 / 22.35 hours per week, 47.5 / 95.0 hours per month.

Our non-funded nursery billing is calculated over 52 weeks, with the cost spread equally over 12 monthly bills.

Footsteps Nursery

Owls

Footsteps Nursery

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Apply for funding

Visit Gov.UK to apply for your childcare account. You will need information about yourself, your partner if you live together, are married or are in a civil partnership, as well as about your child.

If successful you will be given a code to pass on to your childcare provider.

The code will need renewing every three months to remain valid.

When to apply for Funding

What is included in the Funded Hours

The Government only funds the delivery of EYFS in the funded hours attended, except for 2-year-olds who receive extra support.

What is excluded from the Funded Hours

All food and snacks as well as other consumables such as nappies, wipes, protective clothing, protective creams, Calpol etc.

Any additional activities the nursery provides over and above the delivery of EYFS – full details of our current term’s offerings are available from your nursery manager as they can vary each term.

Any additional hours and sessions required over and above the funded hours.

These excluded items are voluntary and only provided at your request.

When is funding delivered

We deliver our funded hours in specific funded sessions, two sessions every day 10.33-14.16 and 14.16-18.00. Six sessions over three days will ensure you receive 22.35 funded hours per week, 51 weeks of the year or 95 hours per month.

I would like to have all activities, food and consumables provided during my funded hours, how much will this cost?

I would like more information

Please discuss with your nursery manager who will talk you through the nursery’s terms and conditions as well as our fee and funding policy or alternatively visitwww.beststartinlife.gov.uk to answer any generic questions you may have about funded childcare.