We understand that trying to navigate childcare funding options can be difficult. With so much to consider and a lot of options to explore, it can become confusing to know what you are eligible for!
We want to make sure that you feel fully supported and informed when it comes to the savings and financial aid you may be eligible to receive.
Eligible children can receive 15 or 30 hours of government-funded childcare, provided completely free of charge and shown as £0.00 on invoices. Any hours taken outside a child’s funded entitlement are charged as private paid hours (non-funded), and taking up private hours is never a condition of accessing funded childcare. All pricing is transparent and compliant with Local Authority and Department for Education requirements.
*All information is taken from www.childcarechoices.gov.uk and www.hounslow.gov.uk and correct as of December 2025
Are you entitled to help with the cost of your childcare?
All children aged 3 and 4 in England are entitled to Government-funded early education, regardless of family income or employment status.
This is known as the universal entitlement.
Eligible children receive:
15 hours of funded childcare per week
Usually delivered over 38 weeks per year (term-time)
A total of 570 funded hours per year
At Purple Bees Day Nursery, funded hours can also be:
Stretched across up to 51 weeks of the year, subject to availability
(This means fewer hours per week, spread more evenly across the year.)
We will always discuss the best pattern of attendance with you during your nursery visit.
Your child becomes eligible from the term after they turn 3:
If your child turns 3 between 1 September – 31 December → funding starts 1 January
If your child turns 3 between 1 January – 31 March → funding starts 1 April
If your child turns 3 between 1 April – 31 August → funding starts 1 September
This funding is automatic — there is no income check.
No eligibility code is required for the universal 15 hours.
Funding can be used with one or more participating childcare providers.
If your child attends hours beyond the funded entitlement, additional sessions are charged at our standard nursery rates.
If you are unsure when your child becomes eligible, our team will happily guide you through the dates and help you plan ahead.
(For existing claimants only)
Some families may still receive help with childcare costs through Working Tax Credit.
Please note that Tax Credits are now closed to new claims.
You may be able to receive childcare support through Tax Credits if:
You are already claiming Working Tax Credit
You live in the UK
You are working
You have a child:
Under 16 years old, or
Under 17 years old if your child has a disability
You use registered childcare
Tax Credits can help pay up to 70% of eligible childcare costs, up to a Government-set limit.
If you are not already claiming Tax Credits, you cannot apply for them now.
In most cases, you will need to apply for Universal Credit instead.
Tax Credits childcare support can be used to help pay for care provided by:
Registered nurseries
Registered childminders
Registered nannies
Registered after-school clubs and holiday clubs
Registered schools
Home care workers working for a registered home care agency
Your childcare provider must be officially registered.
Tax Credits are being phased out and replaced by Universal Credit
You cannot receive Tax Credits and Universal Credit at the same time
You cannot receive Tax Credits and Tax-Free Childcare together
If your circumstances change, you may be moved onto Universal Credit
For the latest Government guidance, please visit:
👉 www.gov.uk/tax-credits
If you are unsure which childcare support applies to your family, our team will be happy to help explain your options during your nursery visit.
From the term after your child turns 9 months old, eligible working families in England may be able to receive Government-funded childcare.
This funding is designed to support parents returning to work or increasing their working hours.
Eligible families may receive:
15 hours of funded childcare per week, or
30 hours of funded childcare per week (if you meet the extended eligibility criteria)
The number of hours you receive depends on your family’s circumstances and eligibility.
Funded hours are usually provided over 38 weeks per year (term-time)
This equals:
570 hours per year for 15 hours funding
1,140 hours per year for 30 hours funding
Many nurseries (including us, subject to availability) offer the option to stretch funded hours across up to 51 weeks, meaning fewer hours per week spread more evenly across the year
We will always talk through your options with you so you can choose the attendance pattern that best suits your family.
You may be eligible if:
You live in England
Your child is at least 9 months old
Both parents are working, or you are a single working parent
You meet the Government’s income criteria, including:
Each working parent earning at least the equivalent of 16 hours per week at National Minimum Wage
Neither parent earning more than £100,000 per year
You have applied online and received a valid funding code
This funding is available to employed and self-employed parents.
Funding begins from the term after your child turns 9 months old:
1 January
1 April
1 September
Funding can only start once:
Your eligibility has been approved, and
A valid funding code has been provided to the nursery before the start of term
You must apply online and obtain a funding code before the funding can be used
Eligibility must be reconfirmed every 3 months
If eligibility is not reconfirmed on time, funding may stop until it is renewed
Funded hours can be used with one or more participating childcare providers
Any childcare used beyond the funded entitlement will be charged at our standard nursery rates
To check your eligibility and apply, please visit:
👉 https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk
If you’re unsure which funded option applies to your family, our team will be happy to guide you and help you plan ahead during your nursery visit.
Who is eligible?
● For families in England, receiving some forms of support
● With 2-year-old children
● 15 hours of free childcare or early education for 38 weeks
● To be able to take up 15 hours of free childcare for your two-year-old you or your child must meet the eligibility criteria. Please visit GOV.UK for further information.
● A total of 570 hours per year, that you can use flexibly with one or more childcare provider
Where can I use it?
It's available at participating:
● Full day care (e.g nurseries)
● Schools
● Childminders
● Sessional providers (e.g. playgroups)
● Sure Start Children's Centres
From 1 January, 1 April, or 1 September following your child’s 2nd birthday.
Eligible working families in England can receive an additional 15 hours of funded childcare, giving a total of 30 funded hours per week for their 3- or 4-year-old child.
This is known as the extended entitlement.
Eligible children can receive:
30 hours of funded childcare per week
Usually provided over 38 weeks per year (term-time)
A total of 1,140 funded hours per year
The option to stretch the funded hours across up to 51 weeks, using fewer hours per week, subject to availability and nursery opening patterns
This flexibility allows families to choose a childcare arrangement that best fits their working hours and routine.
You may be eligible for the 30 hours funding if:
You live in England
Your child is aged 3 or 4
Both parents are working, or you are a single working parent household
You meet the Government’s income criteria
(including earning at least the equivalent of 16 hours per week at National Minimum Wage and earning less than £100,000 per year per parent)
You have applied online and received a valid 30-hour funding code
This funding is available to employed and self-employed parents.
Funding begins from the term after your child turns 3, provided that:
Your eligibility has been approved, and
Your valid funding code has been shared with the nursery before the start of term
Funding start dates are:
1 January
1 April
1 September
Eligibility must be reconfirmed every 3 months via the Government childcare service
A valid funding code must be provided to the nursery and kept up to date
If your code is not reconfirmed on time, funding may stop until eligibility is renewed
Funded hours can be split across one or more participating childcare providers
Any childcare taken beyond the funded entitlement is charged at the nursery’s standard rates
To check your eligibility and apply for a funding code, please visit:
👉 www.childcarechoices.gov.uk
If you’d like support with understanding the funding, reconfirming your code, or planning your child’s attendance pattern, our team will be happy to guide you during your nursery visit.
If you are a working parent claiming Universal Credit, you may be able to get help towards your childcare costs.
This support is separate from nursery funded hours and can help with the cost of childcare while you work.
You may be eligible if:
You are claiming Universal Credit
You live in England, Scotland, Wales, or Northern Ireland
You are working (or starting work soon)
Your child is under 16 years old
(Support is paid until the end of August after your child turns 16)
Your childcare provider is registered
You are not using Tax-Free Childcare at the same time
Universal Credit can pay up to 85% of your childcare costs.
The maximum amounts are:
Up to £1,014.63 per month for one child
Up to £1,739.37 per month for two or more children
You can use Universal Credit childcare support to help pay for:
Registered nurseries
Registered childminders
Registered nannies
Registered after-school clubs and holiday clubs
Registered schools
Home care workers working for a registered home care agency
Your childcare provider must be officially registered.
You usually need to pay your childcare fees first
You then report the costs through your Universal Credit account
Universal Credit will pay your childcare support as part of your monthly payment
You cannot receive Universal Credit childcare support and Tax-Free Childcare at the same time
You can use Universal Credit childcare support alongside funded childcare hours (such as 15 or 30 hours)
For full details and to check your eligibility, please visit:
👉www.gov.uk/universal-credit
If you are unsure which childcare support is best for your family, our team will be happy to help explain your options during your nursery visit.
The Government funds childcare based on a 38-week year (term-time).
This means your child’s funded hours are worked out across school terms only.
Some nurseries, including Purple Bees Day Nursery, offer the option to stretch funded hours across more weeks (for example, 51 weeks). This allows families to receive childcare support throughout the year, rather than only during term time.
Stretched funding means:
Your child receives the same total number of funded hours
Those hours are spread across more weeks
You receive fewer funded hours per week, but for more weeks of the year
👉 The total funding does not increase — it is simply shared out differently.
Term-time option:
15 hours per week for 38 weeks
Stretched option:
Around 11 hours per week for 51 weeks
Term-time option:
30 hours per week for 38 weeks
Stretched option:
Around 22 hours per week for 51 weeks
Think of your funded hours like a cake 🍰
Term-time funding = bigger slices, but fewer weeks
Stretched funding = smaller slices, spread across the whole year
You’re still getting the same cake — it’s just cut differently.
Many parents choose stretched funding because it:
Spreads childcare support evenly across the year
Helps avoid larger bills during school holidays
Makes monthly childcare costs more predictable
Supports families who need year-round childcare
Stretched funding is optional
It does not increase the total number of funded hours
Availability depends on the nursery’s opening pattern
Any childcare used beyond the funded hours is charged at the nursery’s standard rates
If you’re unsure which option is best for your family, our team will be happy to talk this through with you and help you plan the most suitable arrangement.
Please let us know if you believe you may be eligible for any form of funding or help with costs and we will assist you where we can.
Funded places are offered on a first-come, first-served basis. In some cases, families may be placed on a waiting list. As demand can vary and availability depends on several factors (such as age group, session patterns, and staffing), we are unable to guarantee or predict how long a waiting period may be.
Fill out the form below and we’ll send you a clear, easy-to-follow guide explaining all funding options and how to find out which ones you may qualify for.
