If you live and work in England you may be entitled to 30 hours funded childcare support from the term after your child turns 9 months old. This will last until they start school.

You can usually get funded childcare for working parents if you (and your partner, if you have one) are:

• in work or starting a new job
• on sick leave or annual leave
• on shared parental, maternity, paternity or adoption leave

The amount of funded childcare you can get depends on:

• your child’s age and circumstances
• your income (and your partner’s income, if you have one)
• your immigration status

When do I need to apply

We recommend you contact us as early as possible to secure your place at Pondhu Nursery.

You can apply for your code up to 16 weeks before your baby turns 9 months old.  You will need to apply online before the deadline, and we recommend you apply at least 6 weeks before the deadline.  

Your 2-year-old may be able to get 15 hours funded early learning if you live in England and receive some additional forms of support.

Giving your 2-year-old a head start in learning can be great for their future. Early years education can help little ones make friends and play. This develops their social and practical skills in a safe place that works alongside what you do at home. This early start can set your child up for a lifetime of learning and success.

Your 2-year-old could get up to 15 hours free childcare if you get any of the following:

• Universal Credit, and your household income is £15,400 a year or less after tax, not including benefit payments
• Income Support
• Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
• The guaranteed element of Pension Credit

2-year-olds can also get free childcare if they:

• Are looked after by a local authority
• Have an education, health and care (EHC) plan
• Get Disability Living Allowance
• Have left care under an adoption order, special guardianship order or a child arrangements order

Applications can be made from when the child is 1-year 10 months old.  2-year-old funding is paid from the term following the child’s second birthday.  

For children aged 3 to 4 years, before they start school. You do not need to apply for this funding. Please inform us that you wish to use this funding, and we will have the correct forms for you to fill in. 

All 3 and 4 year-olds in England can get 570 funded hours per year from the term after your child turns 3 years old through to starting school. This is usually taken as 15 hours a week for 38 weeks of the year. You can choose to take fewer hours over more weeks, if that suits you better.

 You may have to pay for extra costs such as:

• Meals
• Nappies
• Additional hours
• Additional activities, such as trips

Ask us what extra costs you may have to pay for.