The EYA Parent Room
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) starting the term after their child turns 9 months old.
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
Some families can claim 15 hours of funded childcare per week, during term time (or stretched across the year) starting the term after their child turns 2 years old.
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, during term time (or stretched across the year) 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:
