Contact
Apply

Government Funding

DOWNLOAD PAGE AS PDF

Government Funding

The government offers funded childcare places to support families with the cost of early education. These funded hours are designed to give children access to early education and make childcare more affordable for parents. The funding is provided directly to childcare settings and is not a cash payment for families.

Talking two’s 15 hours (For Eligible 2 Year Olds)

Telford and Wrekin Talking two’s funding provides 15 hours of funded childcare per week for eligible 2-year-olds, starting the term after their 2nd birthday. Children may qualify for Talking Two’s funding if their family meets the below eligibility criteria:

  • Are from low-income households
  • Have parents/carers receiving certain benefits
  • Are looked after, previously looked after or under special guardianship, adoption or residence order
  • Have a Special Educational Need or Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP)
  • Receive Disability Living Allowance (DLA)

Telford and Wrekin council determines eligibility, and parents can check and apply directly through the local’s authority’s website.

Universal 15 hours (For All 3-4 Year Olds)

All children are entitled to 15 hours of funded childcare per week, starting the term after their 3rd birthday. This is known as the universal entitlement and is available to every family, regardless of income.

Extended 30 hours (For Eligible Working Families)

This funding is available to working parents the term after their child turns 9 months old who meets the below governments eligibility criteria:

  • Working at least 16 hours a week
  • Employed or Self-employed
  • Must earn less than £100,000 a year

Parents must apply for the extended hours through the governments Childcare Choices website and renew their code every 3 months to ensure their circumstances have not changed.

How funding works in our setting

At our setting, we offer 2 options on how you can use your funding:

Option 1 – An all-year-round placement (51 weeks) – This means that instead of receiving 15 or 30 hours per week for weeks of the year (term time), families have their funding spread evenly across the full 51 weeks we are open. This stretched approach provides consistency for children and greater flexibility for families who require year-round childcare.

Option 2 – Term time placement (38 weeks) – This means you will receive your 15 hours or 30 hours per week over the 38-week term.

Government funding covers the cost of early education provision only. It does not include meals, consumables or enhanced experiences. At our setting, these additional elements are included within our ‘Bare Necessities Bundle’, which ensures children receive freshly prepared meals, essential consumables and access to our enriched curriculum such as outdoor learning, cooking sessions and community visits/trips.

We can offer your child more than their funded hours per week, if you need them. These additional hours are paid for and referred to as non-funded hours. The cost of these are outlined in our Nursery Fees section of our website.

We’re Here to Help

We understand that government funding can feel confusing and that’s why our team are always available to explain how your child’s funded hours apply, how they are allocated across your sessions and what you weekly fees would look like.

Additional Help

EYPP Funding

EYPP (Early Years Pupil Premium) is extra funding for early years education providers to support disadvantaged children aged 9 months to 4 years old. This funding can be up to £570 per child per year and is used to improve the quality of education. To claim it, parents or guardians must be receiving certain benefits like Universal Credit or Child Tax Credit, and the child must be taking up their free hour’s entitlement. A portion of this funding can be used towards food costs.

DAF Funding

Disability Access Funding (DAF) is available to support children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities who are in receipt of Disability Living Allowance (DLA). Children become eligible for DAF once they start receiving government funded early education, which can begin from 9 months of age depending on eligibility. Please note, DAF is not automatically available to all children with SEND – eligibility is specifically linked to receiving DLA.

Tax-Free Childcare

A scheme introduced by the government to help working parent with the cost of childcare. For every £8 you pay into an online account, the government will add an extra £2, up to £2,000 per child per year – that’s up to £500 every three months. You may be eligible for Tax-Free Childcare if you and your partner are:

  • In work and each earning at least the National Minimum Wage or Living Wage for 16 hours a week
  • Earning under £100,000 each a year
  • Anyone claiming Universal Credits are exempt from claiming this.