Starting April 2024, the government has opened the door for working families to apply for childcare funding tailored for 2-year-olds. Designed to support early development and ease the financial burden on families, this new scheme aims to provide valuable opportunities for children to learn, play, and grow in a nurturing environment.
For Working Families
The initiative offers up to 15 hours of funded childcare each week, spanning across 38 weeks of the year.
To qualify:
Understanding the balancing act between work and family, we offer the option to ‘stretch’ your funded hours over up to 51 weeks instead of the standard 38 weeks. This means using fewer hours per week but over a longer period. Take a look at the examples below.
Traditionally allocated over the 38 weeks of term time, you have the option to extend this schedule to cover up to a 51-week period. By doing so, the weekly hours adjust to approximately 11 hours.
This flexible approach ensures that your child enjoys a consistent routine while you benefit from a childcare schedule that aligns with your family’s unique lifestyle and commitments.
While government funding significantly offsets childcare costs, there may be additional fees for essential extras, such as all meals, nappies, wipes, suncream, trips and extra curriculum. We’re committed to transparency and will provide a detailed breakdown of all costs at your nursery visit.
At Handkerchief, we go beyond just providing childcare; we ensure you’re connected to your child’s developmental journey every step of the way. Here’s a unique advantage our families enjoy:
With our dedicated online app, you have the power to stay updated on your child’s progress throughout the day. Whether you’re curious about their meal times, sleep patterns, or the various activities they’re engaged in, all this information is at your fingertips. Accessible whenever you need, our app ensures you’re always in the loop, fostering a deeper connection between you, your child, and our nursery.
Find out more: Childcare Choices
For working families: Apply for 15 hours childcare funding
You can apply from when your child is 1 year and 36 weeks for 15 hours free childcare. Find out more
Funding is only applicable for working parents.
Yes, self-employed parents are eligible for funded childcare, provided they meet the minimum income requirements through their self-employment.
If you have more than one job, combine your earnings from all employment to see if you meet the eligibility criteria, specifically the minimum of 16 hours per week at the national minimum wage and a maximum annual income of £100,000.
For irregular income, use the average of your expected earnings over the current tax year to determine eligibility.
Yes, having a National Insurance Number is a prerequisite for applying for funded childcare.
The ‘stretching’ option allows you to spread your funded hours over more weeks by using fewer hours each week, providing increased flexibility to match your family’s schedule.
The daily use of funded hours at Handkerchief depends on the nursery’s availability and opening hours. The funding is allocated on a pro-rata basis across the year, rather than by specific days.
Unfortunately, hours are allocated on a pro-rata basis throughout the year, maintaining a consistent weekly routine regardless of holidays or sickness.
Please discuss your needs with the nursery manager as soon as possible. They will do their best to accommodate additional bookings, which will incur a non-funded charge.
Fees vary due to differing operational costs across geographical locations, impacting the charges between our various nurseries.
To arrange a personal tour at one of our beautiful nurseries, please contact our Parent Liaison Team who will be happy to help. Call us on 0330 333 1080 or fill in the form below.
