Fees & Funding

Membership of Voucher Schemes for new applicants was withdrawn in October 2018. Existing members of schemes are able to continue with their use but not in addition to/along with Tax-Free Childcare (TFC)

See Tax Free Childcare information.

There is help for those who have to bear the cost of course fees and childcare through the Government’s Care to Learn scheme. You must be under 20 at the start of your course to be eligible for the scheme and be the main carer for your child. This is not suitable for those studying a higher education course at university.

The sum covers childcare deposit and registration fees, travel costs for taking your child to the provider and keeping your childcare place over the holidays. Childcare providers must be registered with Ofsted.

Working families, including the self-employed in the UK with children under12 (or under17 if disabled) can obtain Tax-Free Childcare (TFC).

Application is made on the same government

Childcare Choices website as the 30 hours free funding.

We offer funded spaces for children who are 2yrs old. The criteria for 2 year olds requires parents to be in receipt of one of the following:

• Income Support

• Income Based Job Seekers Allowance (JSA)

• Income Related Employment & Support Allowance (ESA)

• Universal Tax Credits

• Support under part 6 of the Immigration & Asylum Act 1999

• The guaranteed element of the State Pension Credit

• Tax Credit & an annual income of less than £16,190

• The Working Tax credit 4-week run on

When your child turns 3yrs old you will be entitled to Early Education Entitlement funding (EEE), Your child is entitled to funding the term after their third birthday providing their birthday falls before the cut-off date. If it does not, funding will not start until the following term. The cut off dates are:

• 31st August for the September to December term

• 31st December for the January to April term

• 31st March for the May to August term.

From April 2018, providers are able to access the EYPP to help them support their most disadvantaged children. Children will qualify if they are 3 or 4 years olds receiving government-funded early education and their parents receive benefits used to access eligibility for free school meals.

Evidence shows that children from less advantaged backgrounds can start school 19 months behind their peers, but that good quality childcare can reduce this gap and have a significant benefit in terms of a child’s development.