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Childcare Funding Made Simple: A Step-by-Step Guide

We understand that the expense of nursery care can be a real concern to parents and carers. However there is Government funding available to a large proportion of families to help you get the best nursery education for your little ones.
Our aim is to clarify and break down each scheme in an easy-to-understand way, empowering you to make well-informed choices for your child’s early education
Navigating these various schemes may initially appear daunting, particularly for first-time parents, which is why we decided to thoroughly explore these financial assistance options and explain them here.
Ready to start? Let’s dive in!

Were you aware?

The UK Government are extending the Funded Childcare Offer!

From April 2024, eligible working parents of two-year-olds will get a new offer of 15 Government funded hours per week of childcare. The Dinotots Group will be offering this across ALL of it’s nurseries.

As. the Dinotots Group of nurseries are very popular to local parents we do expect that nursery places will become even more increasingly sought after, so it is highly recommended to submit your enquiry with us as soon as possible!

Enquire Today!

Under 2-year-Olds

Families with children aged between nine months and two-years-olds aren’t currently eligible for any funded hours. However, the government has announced that
  • from September 2024, all eligible working parents of children aged nine months up to three-years-old will be able to access funding for 15 hours per week of education and care for 38 weeks of the year.
  • from September 2025, all eligible working parents of children aged nine months up to three-years-old will be able to access funding for 30 hours per week of education and care for 38 weeks of the year.
Enquire Today!

2-year-old Funding

Some families are entitled to 15 hours of funded childcare each week (570 per year) if you have a child who has or is turning two-years old and you qualify for one of the following:
  • A household income of less than £16,190 per year
  • Job Seeker’s Allowance
  • Income Support
  • Employment and Support Allowance

To check your eligibility, visit Childcare Choices.

Enquire Today!

3 & 4-year-old Funding

15 Hours - Universal Funding
Currently, all three- and four-year-olds can access 15 hours per week of funded care and education for 38 weeks of the year, regardless of the income or working status of their parent or carer. This is often described as a ‘universal offer’.It's in place to make sure you can give your child a head start without worrying too much about the financial implications. It is good to be aware that you are still able to top up and pay for further sessions if needed.

In addition, eligible working families of three- and four-year-olds can currently access 30 hours a week of funded care and education for 38 weeks of the year.

The government is not currently proposing any changes to the funded entitlements for three- and four-year-olds.

Enquire Today!
30 Hours - Extended Funding
Eligible working families of three- and four-year-olds can currently access 30 hours a week of funded care and education for 38 weeks of the year.
To be eligible for this, both parents (or the sole parent in a single-parent household) should be working a minimum of 16 hours per week at the national minimum wage or living wage. This extended funding can really ease the financial load when it comes to nursery care. As with the 15 hours universal funding, you are also able to top up and pay for further sessions if needed.
With both of the above options, children are entitled to this funding the term after they turn 3 years old age.
Their birthday must fall before the cut-off date in order to receive the funding the following term. These dates are:

31st August for the Fall term (September – December)
31st December for the Spring term (January – April)
31st March for the Summer term (May – August)

What’s the difference between the 15 hour scheme and the 30 hour scheme?
All families with 3 and 4 year olds automatically get 15 hours of funded childcare per week. That’s a universal scheme, so everyone can benefit, whether they are working or not. The 30-hour scheme is just for working families, and it increases their funding from 15 to 30 hours.

To check your eligibility, visit Childcare Choices.

Enquire Today!

Tax-Free Childcare

Some families are entitled to 15 hours of funded childcare each week (570 per year) if you have a child who has or is turning two-years old and you qualify for one of the following:
  • A household income of less than £16,190 per year
  • Job Seeker’s Allowance
  • Income Support
  • Employment and Support Allowance

To check your eligibility, visit Childcare Choices.

Enquire Today!
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