This year the government have introduced several new types of funding for eligible children to help towards childcare costs for working parents. At Spinney Day Nursery we offer the new funding for eligible working families from 9 months old, as well as funding for 2, 3 and 4 year olds for children who live in England. If you live in Wales funding is only available currently from 3 years upwards, refer to local council websites for more information here.
The funding available is for up to 30 hours per week for 38 weeks a year. We spread the funding across the year, over 51 weeks.
Please visit ‘Best Start in life’ website, to find out if you are eligible for funding to help towards childcare costs. You must apply for an eligibility code prior to the term that your child becomes eligible/wish to access their funded hours.
You can also find details of Tax free childcare on here, which can also provide a significant saving each month, and can be used alongside the government funding.
WORKING FAMILIES ENTITLEMENT & COSTS
Up to 22.36 hours per week can be claimed and spread across the nursery year of 51 weeks, (eligibility criteria to be met) You will need to apply for a code if you are eligible which needs to be presented to the Nursery. This becomes available the term after a child reaches 9 months, and will need to be reconfirmed termly.
Up to 22.36 hours per week can be claimed and spread across the nursery year of 51 weeks, (eligibility criteria to be met). You will need to apply for a code if you are eligible which needs to be presented to the Nursery. This becomes available the term after a child’s second birthday, and will need to be reconfirmed termly.
There is also funding available for 2-3 year olds if you are a family in receipt of additional government support. This entitlement is for 11.18 hours and you could also be eligible for an additional 11.18 hours through the working families entitlement. Please contact your local Childrens Centre who can also check their eligibility for this entitlement.
All children age 3 who live in England or Wales can have 11.18 hours funding per week with us all year round. This becomes available the term after a child’s third birthday.
There is also a further 11.18 hours funding available per week for eligible working parents of children 3+ years. You will need to apply for a code for this and check your eligibility on www.childcarechoices.gov.uk. The code you are given needs to be presented to the Nursery, and will need to be reconfirmed termly.
If you do receive a code this must be re-confirmed every 3 months when prompted to do so by HMRC to remain eligible for the funding.
If you live across the border into Wales, you will be able to claim the universal 11.18 hours from England and then may be entitled to up to an extra 11.18 hours extended from Wales. You can apply for the Welsh additional hours by completing an online application here.
Your costs can be reduced if you claim Tax Free childcare, for more details please click here. You can get up to £500 every 3 months (up to £2,000 a year) for each of your children to help with the costs of childcare. This goes up to £1,000 every 3 months if a child is disabled (up to £4,000 a year).
If you do not wish to pay for specific consumables, for example because you wish to provide your own, please make your nursery aware so next steps can be discussed.
