Help With Childcare Costs
Everything you need to know about funding, eligibility and how we support you at The Early Years Academy.
Funding Your Childs Nursery Place
Navigating childcare funding can feel overwhelming, but it doesn’t need to be.
At The Early Years Academy, we're here to guide you through every step of understanding the support available to your family. Whether you’re exploring funded hours for your two-year-old, the new entitlements for babies from nine months, or wondering how it all works with your working schedule—we’ve gathered everything you need, all in one place.
We understand that each family’s circumstances are different, which is why we’ve created this dedicated space to help you make informed, confident decisions about your child’s early education. From eligibility checklists to step-by-step application advice, you’ll find clear, jargon-free guidance tailored to parents like you.
What Childcare Funding Is Available?
There are a number of government-funded childcare schemes that many families may be eligible for. These can significantly reduce your childcare costs and in some cases, cover them entirely. Here's a breakdown of the current options available:
From 9 Months – New Baby Funding
Eligible working families can access up to 15 funded hours per week, during term time (or stretched across the year) for children aged 9 months to 2 years.
To qualify:
Both parents (or one if a single-parent household) must be working and earning at least £167 per week, but no more than £100,000 each.
2 Year Old Funding
There are two types of funding available for 2-year-olds:
1. Income-based funding – For families receiving certain benefits (e.g. Universal Credit).
2. Working parent entitlement – Starting April 2024, eligible working families can now also claim 15 hours per week for their 2-year-olds.
3 and 4 Year Old Funding
All families can claim 15 hours of funded childcare per week starting the term after their child turns 3.
Eligible working families can claim up to 30 hours per week.
To qualify for 30 hours:
Both parents (or one if a single-parent household) must be working and earning at least £167 per week, but no more than £100,000 each.
How It Works At The Early Years Academy
We want funding to work for your family—not against your schedule. Here's how we make it easy:
Frequently Asked Questions
Funding starts the term after your child reaches the qualifying age. For example, if your child turns 3 in June, you’ll receive funding from September.
Yes! You can top up your funded hours with additional sessions if needed. We'll tailor a plan around your routine.
Yes. We offer funded-only sessions with no hidden extras.
Absolutely. We offer a "stretched" model so you can use fewer hours per week but spread them across 51 weeks.
Let us know as soon as possible. If your eligibility changes, we’ll work with you to find the best solution.
Not necessarily, some changes still allow you to remain eligible. We'll help you check your status on the Childcare Choices website.
If the deadline passes, unfortunately you’ll need to wait until the next term to access funding. But don’t panic, come and talk to us. We can still offer a flexible place and will guide you through the process so you're ready for the next round.
Yes, we're here to guide you through it step by step.
