FAQs

Understanding Nursery Funding: A simple guide for parents

Working out nursery funding can feel confusing at first — especially when you hear terms like funded hours, 30 hours childcare, working entitlement and free childcare.

The good news is that it’s usually much simpler than it sounds.

This guide explains how nursery funding works in England, what support may be available to your family, and how to apply.

What is nursery funding?

Nursery funding is government support that helps families access early education and childcare before children begin school.

You might hear people describe this as:

• funded childcare
• free childcare hours
• nursery funding
• early education entitlement

They all refer to government-funded childcare support for eligible children.

For many families, this funding helps children enjoy valuable early learning experiences while making childcare more affordable.

What support is available?

The amount of funded childcare available depends mainly on your child’s age and your family circumstances.

From 9 months to school age

Working families may be eligible for funded childcare

Many working families can access funded childcare from the term after their child becomes eligible.

Eligibility is based on government criteria, including employment and income requirements.

If eligible, families may receive:

Up to 30 funded hours per week
(usually taken across 38 weeks of the year)

Your childcare provider may also offer these hours stretched across more weeks of the year.

 

For some children aged 2

Additional funding support is available for some families.

Your child may qualify if your family receives certain benefits or if there are circumstances that make your child eligible.

This funding is designed to help more children access high-quality early education at an earlier stage.

If you are unsure whether you qualify, it is always worth checking.

 

From age 3 onwards

Universal funding for all families

Once your child becomes eligible after turning three:

Every child can receive 15 funded hours per week.

This funding is available to all families regardless of employment status.

Some working families may also qualify for:

Up to 30 funded hours per week.

 

What do “15 hours” and “30 hours” mean?

This is one of the questions parents ask most often.

Funded hours are usually allocated across:

• 15 hours per week over 38 weeks
• 30 hours per week over 38 weeks

Some nurseries offer these hours across the whole year instead.

This is sometimes called stretched funding.

For example:

Instead of attending 30 hours each week during term time, your child may attend fewer hours each week across more weeks of the year.

Your nursery can explain exactly how funding works within their sessions.

 

Is nursery completely free?

This can be one of the biggest surprises for parents.

Government funding covers the funded childcare hours themselves.

However, nurseries may charge separately for things such as:

• meals and snacks
• nappies and wipes
• trips and experiences
• additional sessions
• optional extras

Every nursery manages this slightly differently, so it’s always worth asking for a clear explanation of what is included.

Good providers will always explain charges openly.

 

How do I apply?

Applying is usually straightforward.

Step 1

Create a government childcare account.

Step 2

Check your eligibility.

Step 3

Receive your childcare code.

Step 4

Share the code with your nursery.

Step 5

Remember to reconfirm your eligibility regularly if required.

Many families can apply before their child reaches nursery age so everything is ready in advance.

 

A note for parents

Trying to understand childcare funding can feel overwhelming — especially alongside all the other decisions that come with choosing a nursery.

 

Please remember:

You do not need to understand every detail straight away.

Most nurseries are very used to helping families through the process and are happy to answer questions.

If you are unsure what your child may be eligible for, ask.

We’re always happy to help you understand your options and find the arrangement that works best for your family.

Because choosing a nursery should feel exciting — not complicated.

 

What would be child need to bring?

To help your child have a happy and comfortable day with us, please provide a named water bottle and a spare set of clothes, including underwear and socks, in case of accidents or messy play. We recommend dressing your child in comfortable clothing suitable for indoor and outdoor activities. If your child uses a comforter, dummy, or other special item, please feel free to bring this along too. All meals, snacks, nappies, and wipes are provided by the nursery, so there is no need to supply these unless your child requires a specific brand or specialist product.