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 48 weeks, giving 11.87 / 23.75 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.
Applying 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
| A child born on or between: | Eligibility Codes obtained by | Earliest +9 months working family start | Return to work by | Earliest 2-year-old (additional government support) and 3/4-year-old (universal) start |
| 1 January and 31 March | 31 December | 1 January following year from birth | 31 January following year from birth | Summer term once 3 |
| 1 April and 30 June | 31 March following year from birth | 1 April following year from birth | 30 April following year from birth | Autumn term once 3 |
| 1 July and 30 November | 31 August following year from birth | 1 September following year from birth | 30 September following year from birth | Autumn term once 3 |
| 1 December and 31 December | 31 December following year from birth | 1 January two years following birth | 31 January two years following birth | Spring term once 3 |
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 10.05-14.02 and 14.02-18.00. Six sessions over three days will ensure you receive 22.35 funded hours per week, 48 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 visit www.beststartinlife.gov.uk to answer any generic questions you may have about funded childcare.
