Please Note: This blog was originally published in July 2024. Contents have been revamped and updated for accuracy and relevance
At Grandir UK we are proud to provide excellence in childcare to ensure your child has the best start to their early years education and in life. Nurseries and preschools can help young children with their social and emotional skills as they develop friendships beyond family. They can also help with physical co-ordination as they try new physical activities, and prepare children for the transition into primary school and starting reception.
In 2024 the government introduced a new funding scheme that provides 15 hours of funded childcare for working parents, who live in England, of children aged nine months to two years old. This 15 hours childcare is available for eligible working parents, and the application process for securing a childcare place is straightforward.
We have brought together all the information you need on the new 15 hours funded childcare below, so read on for all the details.
What is the new 2 years funding?
From September 2024, parents who live in England with children aged between 9 and 23 months can access 15 hours of free childcare a week, over the course of 38 weeks. This initiative aims to support working parents, making it easier to balance work commitments, cover childcare costs, while ensuring their children receive high-quality childcare.
What Is The New Funded Childcare?
Since September 2024, eligible working parents of children aged between nine months to two years and who live in England, have been able to access 15 hours of funded childcare each week, over 38 weeks. The government scheme aims to support working parents by helping to cover childcare costs, whilst ensuring children receive high-quality childcare.
The Eligibility Criteria
To access these 15 hours of funded childcare per week, families must meet specific eligibility requirements which are:
Employment
Both parents (or a single parent in a single-parent household) will need to be working and earning at least the equivalent of the National Minimum Wage or Living Wage for 16 hours a week. Self-employed parents are also eligible if they meet this earnings threshold, although if your business is less than 12 months old then the threshold is slightly lower.
Income Limits
Each working parent needs to have an individual income below £100,000 per year to be eligible for the 15 hours a week of childcare funding for working families.
Child’s Age
Each child must be aged between nine months to 23 months as of 31st December 2024.
Parents who meet these criteria are eligible for the 15 hours a week of funded childcare, which can be claimed from the term after your child turns nine months old. The terms start on 1st January, 1st April, and 1st September each year.
The Application Process
Below is a guide on how eligible families can apply for the 15 hours funding for children aged nine months to two years:
Gather Necessary Information
Before starting your funded childcare application, ensure you have the following information:
Apply Online
Visit the Gov.uk website to open your childcare account and complete the application form which will take about 20 minutes to complete.
We recommend you apply around six weeks before the start of the term you would like your child to begin at nursery, so you can reserve your place with your chosen Grandir UK childcare provider.
Approval and Code Issuance
Once your application is approved, you will receive a childcare code for your funded hours. You’ll need to give the code, your National Insurance number and your child’s date of birth to your chosen childcare provider when you register with them for the 15 hours of funded childcare.
Reconfirmation
Once you’ve set up your childcare account and have your childcare code, you’ll need to reconfirm your eligibility every three months to continue with your funded childcare entitlement.
Important Deadlines
To start nursery on a desired date and obtain the funded childcare, you would need to apply for your funding by a certain deadline. Here’s the funded childcare deadlines you need to know:
It is recommended that you apply at least six weeks before the deadlines. This is to ensure you receive your code in time to secure your funded childcare with your chosen nursery.
Some childcare providers may request codes even earlier! So be sure to check with your chosen Grandir UK childcare provider to confirm their specific requirements.
Preparing for the Application
We would like to ensure you receive the government funding you are entitled to for your child under two years old. Below is a helpful list to help you prepare for your application:
Contact Your Chosen Grandir UK Childcare Provider Early
Contact your chosen Grandir UK childcare provider as soon as possible to discuss availability for your child to start in childcare. There may be some extra costs that the funded entitlement hours cannot be used to pay for, such as meals, nappies, additional hours, and additional activities i.e. trips. Check with your chosen childcare provider along with any specific deadlines they might have for submitting your code.
Prepare Your Supporting Documents
It’s best to gather all the information you’ll need to open your childcare account and make the childcare application as smooth as possible.
Complete Your Application In Advance
Although the application deadlines are the day before the term begins, it really is best to be prepared and apply early. We would advise that you apply as early as possible to ensure you receive your 15 hours funded childcare in time for your child’s start date.
Using Your Funded Childcare
Hours Free Childcare
As an eligible working parent, you can access 15 hours of funded childcare per week for your child. This entitlement is available for children aged nine months to four years old and can be used at a registered childcare provider.
To use your funded childcare hours, follow these steps:
- Apply for a Childcare Code: Visit the Childcare Service website to apply for a childcare code. You’ll need to provide your National Insurance number and other relevant details.
- Provide Your Childcare Provider with Your Code: Once you receive your childcare code, give it to your chosen childcare provider along with your National Insurance number.
- Sign a Parent Declaration Form: Confirm your eligibility by signing a Parent Declaration Form provided by your childcare provider.
- Provider Validates Your Code: Ensure your provider validates your code and claims the funding from the Council.
Your 15 hours of funded childcare are provided for 38 weeks of the year, however for children attending all year round (51 weeks a year), we stretch your funding, so you receive and equal amount for every week you attend. For those with 15 hours funding this will result in 11 hours of funding stretched over 51 weeks, and those with 30 hours funding will have 22 hours of funding stretched over 51 weeks.
Other Considerations…
Maternity, Paternity, or Adoption Leave
Parents who are currently on leave can still apply for these funded hours. If you plan to return to work you can still apply using the deadlines above as reference.
Foster Carers
Foster parents are also able to apply for this funding where you are also in separate employment that meets the eligibility criteria for working parents. There is a separate application process for foster parents and you will need to speak with your social worker before you apply so they can give you more specific guidance and support on the process.
And Finally…
At Grandir UK we aim to provide you with the information you need to make your application for the government funded childcare for under two year olds as smooth as possible.
We hope this information has helped you to understand if you are eligible, the application process, and deadlines, and helps you prepare to complete your application form for your funded childcare and receive your funded places with your chosen Grandir UK childcare provider.
For more information on other funded childcare options such as tax free childcare and universal credit, be sure to check out the Childcare Choices website.
Book Your Visit To A Grandir UK Nursery Today!
Grandir UK has many nurseries and preschools throughout England that provide funded early education under the new government funded childcare for under two year olds.
We are proud to provide exceptional childcare for children aged nine months to four years olds, where they are nurtured, grow and thrive every day.
Don’t miss your spot! Book your personalised visit at your nearest Grandir UK nursery with our Parent Engagement Team in time to apply for the Government funding, and see how our teams inspire children everyday!
To find more information about why a Grandir UK nursery would be the right childcare provider for your family, and the benefits we can offer, read this article here!
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