Government Funding

Funding for Under Three’s

From September 2024 the government are bringing in funding for working parents of children aged 9 months to 2 years, for 15 hours childcare. This will be subject to certain criteria, detailed on the link (Childcare Choices ). We will offer places in line with our availability. We do not restrict the sessions funding can apply to but we only apply the funding during school term times.

If your child is two, there are two pathways for government funding. Under either criteria you may qualify for up to 15 hours of government-funding.

Type one – Two Year Funding (disadvantaged). Please see link below for criteria. Once allocated, this funding stays in place until your child is three, there is no need to reapply.

Sessions are allocated by availability but we don’t restrict the numbers of children we accept on this, or any funding stream.

Type two – Two Year Funding (working parents). This is a new stream of funding available from April 2024. As a working parent, subject to certain criteria you may be eligible for 15 hours funding. This is planned to rise to 30 hours from September 2025.

Deadline for applications for these funding streams will run to the same dates as the three year funding so;

• 1 April and 31 August will have funding from the following September
• 1 September and 31 December will have a funding from the following January
• 1 January and 31 March will have a funding from the following April

Universal Childcare for 3-5 Year Olds

All children are entitled to a free universal early education place starting the term after their third birthday. The entitlement is 15 hours of free early learning and care per week, provided over a minimum of 38 weeks of the year. The 15 hours will be available on a flexible basis, and the following will apply:

• The minimum time your child can attend a day is 3 hours and the maximum is 10 hours 
• Accessed over 38 weeks (term time only), the 15 hours must be taken over a minimum of two days a week
• Parents of children due to receive or receiving the funding will be asked to complete an entitlement form each term. The Manager ensures that all statutory obligations are met.

Grow Learn Play CIC are an approved provider of universal childcare and offer various sessions.

A child becomes eligible for funding from 1 September, 1 January or 1 April following their third birthday until they reach statutory school age, or start full-time education in school reception classes before reaching compulsory school age.

So, children who are three between:

• 1 April and 31 August will have funding from the following September
• 1 September and 31 December will have a funding from the following January
• 1 January and 31 March will have a funding from the following April

30 Hours’ Free Childcare

Check now to see if your 3-4 year old may be eligible for 30 hours’ free childcare.