How to Apply for Childcare Funding
For many parents juggling work and caring for their little ones, childcare is their saving grace. But, unfortunately, childcare comes with a higher cost.
But did you know if your child is between the ages of 2 and 4, they’re eligible for childcare funding until they start school or until they’re at the age of starting school?
Applying for childcare funding helps towards the cost of childcare – supporting parents to focus on their working profession with the knowledge that their child is in good hands. It also gives parents more time for themselves – and let’s be honest, that can be hard to come by when you have young children!
At Devon Nurseries, many of our children are entitled to government funding to help them attend our nurseries – allowing them to spend time in an environment that lays positive foundations for their future, encouraging independence, creativity, and self-esteem.
Childcare also encourages your child to make friends and socialise, helps to improve their language skills, experience new activities, have fun, and so much more.
Explore our previous blog, The Importance of Early Years Education, to learn more about the benefits of nursery and early years education.
Although we try to keep our fees at Devon Nurseries as low as possible, paying nursery fees can present itself as a struggle for many parents.
Our guide discusses eligibility for childcare, the different types of help you can receive from the government, how to apply for childcare funding, the upcoming changes to childcare funding starting April 2024, and much more.
Am I Entitled to Childcare Funding?
So, how do you know if you’re eligible to receive childcare funding from the government? You’re entitled to childcare funding if you fit the below criteria:
- Your child is between the ages of 2 and 4.
- You’re working or on maternity, sick, or annual leave.
- You, or both you and your partner, earn at least the equivalent of 16 hours of work each week.
- If you, or you and your partner, have an adjusted net income of over £100,00 – you won’t be eligible.
- If you don’t get paid regularly or are self-employed, you may still qualify if you earn the same amount on average.
- If your partner is working but you’re not, you may still be eligible if you receive some sort of government allowance – this is worth checking on the Gov website.
- You have a national insurance number and at least one of the following: British or Irish citizenship, a settled or pre-settled status, or permission to access public funds.
If you fit the above criteria, you’re entitled to 30 hours of free childcare (during school term time) if your child is 3 to 4 years old, and 15 hours if your child is 2 years old.
The New 2024 Childcare Funding Scheme Explained
April 2024
- Starting in April 2024, eligible working parents will also be entitled to 15 hours of free childcare for children aged 2.
- From September 2024, 15 hours of free childcare will be available for working parents with children from 9 months old.
- From September 2025, working parents will be eligible for 30 hours of childcare per week for children aged 9 months up to when their child starts school.
We recommend checking the government website for more details on eligibility.
Tax-Free Childcare
You can also get tax-free childcare if you’re eligible, where you’ll receive up to £500 every 3 months (up to £2,000 a year) for each of your children to help with childcare costs.
How Does Tax-Free Childcare Work?
For every £8 you deposit into your online childcare account, the government will put in £2 to pay your childcare provider. You can access both simultaneously if you qualify for the 15/30-hour and tax-free childcare.
When can I Apply for Childcare Funding?
You can apply for the 15-hour childcare funding for your 2-year-old when they’re 1 year and 36 weeks. If you want to apply for the 30-hour childcare funding, you can do so when your child is 2 years and 36 weeks.
How to Apply for Childcare Funding
To apply for childcare funding, simply visit the Government website and follow the steps to complete an application online.
When Does Childcare Funding Start
You can use your childcare funding on the first term that starts after your child’s 2nd, 3rd, or 4th birthday (depending on which funding you’ve applied for).
But you’re only eligible for the initial stage of 15-hour childcare starting in April 2024 if your child is already 2 years old or will reach their 2nd birthday on or before the 31st of March 2024.
| Your Child’s Birthday | When Their Childcare Funding Starts | Recommended Time to Apply |
| 1 January to 31 March 2024 | Term starting on or after 1st April | 15 October to 30 November |
| 1 April to 31 August 2024 | Term starting on or after 1st September | 15 January to 28 February |
| 1 April to 31 August | Term starting on or after 1st January | 15 June to 31 July |
How Does Childcare Funding Work?
If you have an online tax-free childcare account, you pay your childcare provider directly from your account. If you’re eligible for 15 or 30 hours of free childcare per week, the government will pay your childcare provider directly – so you won’t need to worry about paying them yourself.
When Does Childcare Funding Stop?
Childcare funding stops when your child starts school, or until they reach compulsory school age at 5 years old.
If you would like to learn more about the recent changes to government funding for childcare and accessing free childcare, our previous guide, Accessing Government Funding for “Free” Childcare, can help.