Funding
What is working parent funded childcare?
Currently, eligible working parents of 3- and 4-year-olds can access 30 hours of childcare support.
Eligible working parents of 2-year-olds are also now able to access 15 hours childcare support.
From September 2024, 15 hours childcare support will be extended to eligible working parents with a child from 9-months-old.
From September 2025, eligible working parents with a child from 9-months-old up to school age will be able to access 30 hours childcare support.
What is disadvantaged 2 year funded childcare?
Some disadvantaged two year olds maybe eligible for government-funded early education the term after they turn 2 years old. To check your eligibility please go to www.childcarechoices.gov.uk Once you have been offered your place at the setting you will need to apply via: Funded childcare for 2-year-olds: Overview | Essex County Council
If you are eligible you will receive a reference code which we will need to have in order to access the funding.
What is 3 and 4 year universal funded childcare?
All 3 and 4 year olds are eligible for 15 hours per week, over 38 weeks, government-funded early education the term after they turn 3 years old.
Am I eligible?
You can check to see what help you can receive with your childcare costs and whether you are eligible by visiting: www.childcarechoices.gov.uk
How do I apply?
For working parent funding you will need to apply for an eligibility code.
Step 1: Check your eligibility at www.childcarechoices.gov.uk or the Childcare calculator at www.gov.uk/childcare-calculator
Step 2: Apply for your eligibility code. Once approved you will receive an 11 digit Code. Please provide us with your code, national insurance number and your child’s date of birth when you apply for a place.
Will I lose my funding if I become ineligible?
If a parent becomes ineligible they will not lose their place immediately as there will be a grace period enabling parents to retain the place for a period of time.
This does not apply to universal 15 hour funding for 3 and 4 years olds, or disadvantaged two year funding.
Are funded sessions completely free?
Yes! We just ask for a 50p per session contribution towards a healthy snack. Payable in advance each term.
Non-Funded Sessions
For non-funded places, fees are payable a term in advance, even if your child is absent, plus the healthy snack fee as above.
Each child’s place is conditional upon continued payment of fees, so please speak to the manager if there are any difficulties in making the payments.
Early Years Pupil Premium (EYPP)
EYPP is additional funding available for early years settings to improve the outcomes for some disadvantaged children by supporting their learning and progress as identified in the Early Years Foundation stage.
How we spend our EYPP
The EYPP money is used to provide additional support for each of our eligible children. Each child is unique and has different strengths and needs. Once these have been assessed through their baseline data & ongoing progress reports the funding is allocated in order to provide the very best support for your child. This has included:
- High quality activities, such as developing language and communication skills
- Supporting SEND or EAL
- Targeted resources
- Training
- Higher Adult - Child ratios
Am I eligible & how do I apply?
We will ask for a few details from you and then check with the local authority. If you are eligible we will contact you to discuss ways we can further support your child.
Tax Free Childcare & Childcare Vouchers
We accept Childcare Vouchers via your employer.
We accept tax free childcare, a government funded top-up of up to £2000 per child per year for towards childcare costs for eligible working families.
Please click on the link for more information on ways of helping with childcare fees.
How to use Tax-Free Childcare | Childcare Choices
Tax Credits & Universal Credit for Childcare
Go to How Universal Credit Childcare works | Childcare Choices for further information and to use an independent benefit calculator to see what may be entitled to.