Government Funding
Funding for Nursery Education Places for Two, Three and Four Year Olds
Help with Childcare Costs
Tax Free Childcare
- For working families, including the self-employed, in the UK
- Earning under £100k and at least £167 per week (equal to 16 hours at the National Minimum or Living Wage) each
- Who aren’t receiving Tax Credits, Universal Credit or childcare vouchers
- With children aged 0-11 (or 0-16 if disabled)
- For every £8 you pay into an online account, the government will add an extra £2, up to £2,000 per child per year
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15 hours per week free childcare for 3 & 4 year olds
- 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
Am I eligible?
15 hours of free childcare is available for all families in England.
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30 hours per week free childcare for 3 & 4 year olds
- For working families in England
- With 3 and 4-year-old children
- 30 hours of 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
Am I eligible?
You, and any partner, must each expect to earn (on average) at least £167 per week (equal to 16 hours at the National Minimum or Living Wage).
If you, or your partner, are on maternity, paternity or adoption leave, or you’re unable to work because you are disabled or have caring responsibilities, you could still be eligible.
You can’t get 30 hours free childcare if either you, or your partner, each individually expect to earn £100,000 or more.
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15 hours per week free childcare for 2 year olds
- 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 for further information.
- A total of 570 hours per year, that you can use flexibly with one or more childcare provider
- Some providers will allow you to ‘stretch’ the hours over 52 weeks, using fewer hours per week
Am I eligible?
To be able to take up 15 hours of free early education for your two-year-old you must meet the eligibility criteria. Please visit GOV.UK- external link for further information.
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What the funding does NOT cover
The offer of free childcare/early education for two, three and four year-olds is not intended to cover the costs of meals, other consumables (such as nappies or sun cream), additional hours or additional activities (such as trips). Providers may charge a fee for these additions. If you choose to pay for these it is an arrangement between you and the childcare provider. However, you must not be required to pay any fee as a condition of taking up a 15 or 30 hour place, and must be offered alternative options.
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When can I start claiming the 15 or 30 hour funding for 3 and 4 year olds?
The funding will start from the term after your child turns 3 years old and, for the 30 hours, you have received a valid 30 hours code, whichever is later. Term start dates are 1st September, 1stJanuary and 1st April.
To keep your 30 hours free childcare place you need to check your details are up to date every 3 months.
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At Sandcastles, a maximum of six hours funding can be used against a school day and 10 hours against a full day.
Universal Credit for Childcare
- For working families claiming Universal Credit, in England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales
- With children under 17*
- Up to 85% of eligible childcare costs
- Who aren’t receiving Tax-Free Childcare
Am I eligible?
You, and any partner, must be working, or you’re due to start work, and are claiming Universal Credit.
Whether you can claim will depend on your personal circumstances.
For further support with childcare costs please visit www.childcarechoices.gov.uk