Early Years Funding

For some time, 2 year old children, depending upon eligibility and all 3 and 4 year old children have been entitled to free early education and childcare for 15 hours per week for 38 weeks of the year, with additional hours being accessed at a fee and depending upon availability. Since the government launch in April 2024, working families have also been able to access 15hrs 2 year old funding which is set to increase to 30hrs as of September 2025. In addition, September 2024 saw the introduction of 15hrs funded childcare for 9 months to 2 years (term after 9 months), which is also set to increase to 30hrs as of September 2025 for working families. Any working family funding is subject to eligibility and Ts & Cs - which can be found on the childcare choices website below.

Families in receipt of additional support (FRAS) - As shared above, some 2 year children will be entitled to 15hrs government funding depending upon the eligibility criteria and the financial status of parents. As a family, you would usually get a letter or email from authorities to share that you are eligible for this as your details are already known due to your existing additional support. If eligible, your child’s funding will commence the school term after they turn 2 years old. For example, a child turning 2 in September, will be funded from the following January. You should share your eligibility with the setting you choose who can then process this for you. Eligibility criteria can be found online at Childcare funding for 2-year-olds of families receiving additional support .

Working families funding - As shared above, some families will be eligible for working families funding for babies from 9 months, 2yrs or 3yrs old upwards. Funding is awarded the term after your child either turns 9 months, 2yrs or 3yrs old. For example, a baby turning 9 months old in February, can apply and receive funding Easter onwards, whereas a baby turning 9 months in April will unfortunately only receive funding from the September. This funding is 30hrs that is awarded for 38 weeks of the year, that can be accessed term time only or all year round. This funding needs to be applied for by the family and in line with specific dates in order to be eligible. Further information and the application process for this can be found at Free Childcare for Working Parents: Apply for free childcare - GOV.UK.

Universal 15hrs funding for 3 year olds - Whilst some families are not eligible for the working families funding detailed above, ALL children regardless of any eligibility criteria will qualify for 15hrs government funding the term after their 3rd birthday to access Preschool provision. There is no application process for this given that every child is entitled - this is something that we coordiante in setting with the use of some family details upon induction.

How funding is used - Depending upon the funding you are entitled to, there are differing ways in which it can be used. Some children access funded only places meaning that they attend term time only with some possible contributions depending upon the age of the child, for consumables. Whereas others have their funding averaged over the term for all year round attendance with a potential additional charge for any hours outside of what is covered by funding. We are happy to work with parents and families on an individual basis to best suit their childcare needs and finances. Funding is applied at Next Generation from 9am onwards with the exception of 10 places allocated across the whole setting whereby funding can be allocated from 7:30 onwards for best use if you are only seeking a 2 day booking pattern.

For all others, above the 10 places allocated as above, you can still choose to attend from 7:30 opening hours but this will be paid for as private childcare outside of funding.

A child who attends all year round will have their funding averaged out each term whereas a child attending term time only will have funding applied to those term time weeks only; meaning that they will not be in attendance all year round. Their attendance will run in line with our local school term holiday dates. These dates may vary.

Funded session options for accessing a funded only place -

9am - 2pm X 3 sessions for 15hrs funding (child will need 2 healthy snacks and 1 meal providing if opting out of snack/meal contributions - this does not apply to Under 2’s)

9:30 - 2:30 X 3 sessions for 15hrs funding (Child will need 2 healthy snacks and 1 meal providing if opting out of snack/meal contributions - this does not apply to under 2’s)

9:00 - 3:00 X 5 sessions for 30hrs funding (Child will need 2 healthy snacks and 1 meal providing if opting out of snack/meal contributions - this does not apply to Under 2’s)

9:00 - 4:30 X 2 sessions for 15hrs/X4 sessions for 30hrs funding (Child will need 2 healthy snacks and 2 meals providing if opting out of snack/meal contributions - this does not apply to Under 2’s)

Payment Plans - For families attending all year round, we generate termly payment plans in line with the awarded funding to give a steady payment across the term to include non-funded weeks. Parents/Carers should be aware that each termly payment plan will differ in cost due to the differing number of funded weeks in the Autumn, Spring and Summer terms - with the Summer term payment plan being at a greater cost due to covering 6 weeks + non funded weeks within it. Parents/Carers are required to sign and return such plans to form a payment contract between family and setting. Some families who attend term time only or who are allocated one of our 10 places detailed above, may not need a payment plan and therefore such details will be captured on the funding declaration form as shared below.

Parent declaration funding forms - To process funding through the local authority, we are required to submit your family and personal details in order for the claim to be processed. This information will be captured on our local authority parent declaration funding form which will need to be filled in prior to any funding claim and upheld each term. The funding form then covers each family for the financial year with a new one required each financial year thereafter.

Reconfirmation of funding for working families funding - Families in receipt of working families funding will be required to reconfirm their details every 12 weeks on their tax-free childcare/funding account. Failure to do so may result in funding being lost for the following term. Access to your account can be found by following the link below to Tax-free childcare.