What is 15 Hours Funded Childcare?
In England, there are two government funded 15 hours free early education schemes that offer childcare for children aged two, three and four:
- 15 hours funded childcare for eligible 2-year-olds
- 15 hours funded childcare for all 3 and 4-year-olds
This means that your child will get a funded childcare placement with a government approved provider (meaning they have to be registered with Ofsted and participate in the scheme).
At Building Blocks Day Nurseries, Spalding & Pinchbeck, we are approved childcare providers and proudly takes part in this scheme.
15 Hours Funded Childcare for 3 and 4 Year Olds
Every single child aged three and four is eligible for 15 hours funded childcare.
If your child is three or four years old and lives in England, youโre entitled to 15 hours funded childcare or early education per week for 38 weeks of the year (during term time). This comes to a total of 570 hours over a 12-month period.
Note: Itโs likely that youโll have to pay for the extra costs like meals, nappies, wipes, trips, etc. You can use the hours from 1 January, 1 April or 1 September following your childโs second birthday.
How Can I Apply for 15 Hours Funded Childcare?
All you need to do to receive these funded hours is contact us, share proof of your child’s age (their birth certificate) and fill out a declaration form. We will then apply on your behalf.
15 Hours Funded Childcare for 2-Year-Olds
15 hours funded childcare for 2-year-olds
Your 2-year-old is eligible for 15 hours of funded childcare per week if you live in England and get any of the following benefits:
- Incomeย Support
- income-basedย Jobseekerโs Allowanceย (JSA)
- income-relatedย Employment and Support Allowanceย (ESA)
- Universal Credit, and your household income is ยฃ15,400 a year or less after tax, not including benefit payments
- the guaranteed element ofย Pension Credit
- Child Tax Credit, Working Tax Credit (or both), and your household income is ยฃ16,190 a year or less before tax
- theย Working Tax Creditย 4-week run on (the payment you get when you stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit)
- Support through part 6 of the Immigration and Asylum Act –ย NASS support
They are also eligible if:
- they are looked after by a local authority
- have an education, health and care (EHC) plan
- getย Disability Living Allowance
- have left care under an adoption order, special guardianship order or a child arrangements order
Note: Itโs likely that you may have to pay for the extra costs like meals, nappies, wipes, trips, etc. You can use the hours from 1 January, 1 April or 1 September following your childโs second birthday.
Are You a Non-UK Citizen?
If your immigration status says you have โno recourse to public fundsโ, you might still be able to get 15 hours of funded childcare for your 2-year-old. Your eligibility depends on the following:
- You must live in England
…and your household income must be no more than:
- ยฃ26,500 for families outside of London with one child
- ยฃ34,500 for families within London with one child
- ยฃ30,600 for families outside of London with two or more children
- ยฃ38,600 for families within London with two or more children
You might be able to get 15 hours funded childcare for your 3 and 4 year old.
Note: You will not be eligible if you have more than ยฃ16,000 in savings or investments.