Free sessions
Early Education Funding for 3 and 4 year olds
All 3 and 4 year olds in England are entitled to 570 hours of free early education or childcare a year. At our setting this is 15 hours a week for 38 weeks of the year.
Your child is eligible from the term after they turn three.
Funding is paid directly to the Nursery and we will automatically claim this at the start of the relevant term. Any additional sessions you wish to book must be paid for by you.
2Help entitlement
Some 2 year olds in England can also get free early education and childcare.
You must be getting one of the following:
- Income Support
- income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
- income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
- support through part 6 of the Immigration and Asylum Act
- the guaranteed element of State Pension Credit
- the Working Tax Credit 4-week run on (the payment you get when you stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit)
- Working Tax Credit, Child Tax Credit or both and have a gross household income of £16,190 a year or less
Children are also entitled to a place if:
- they’re looked after by a local council
- they have a current statement of special education needs (SEN) or an education health and care plan
- they get Disability Living Allowance
- they’ve left care under a special guardianship order, child arrangements order or adoption order
If your child is eligible, you can start claiming in the term after they turn two. If you have had a letter promoting the scheme, you still need apply online at www.warwickshire.gov.uk/childcarecosts and bring your confirmation letter to nursery when booking.
30 hours funding
This funding is designed to support working parents and is based on income. Eligibility includes households where all parents (whether two-parent family or lone parent) are working and earning the equivalent of 16 hours a week at the National Minimum or Living Wage (includes income received from tax credits or Universal Credit) and/or:
- One/both parent/s is away on parental/maternity leave.
- One/both parent/s is on Statutory Sick Pay.
- Parents on zero-hours contracts will be eligible, as are those who are registered as self-employed.
- One parent is employed and the other parent has either: substantial caring responsibilities/ and or disability; is a foster carer with their own three- and four-year-old children.
Parents who are in training will not be eligible as they can receive other Government support. If one parent’s income exceeds £100k the household will not be eligible. Please note, fees will become payable if you cease to qualify for 30 hours funding.
Unlike the universal 15 free hours entitlement, parents have to apply online via HMRC. You need to give the code generated to Nursery the term before you wish to start.
When can you claim?
When you can claim depends on when your child's birthday is as follows:
Child’s birthday: | When you can claim: |
1 January to 31 March | the beginning of the summer term on or after 1 April |
1 April to 31 August | the beginning of the autumn term on or after 1 September |
1 September to 31 December | the beginning of the spring term on or after 1 January |
Please note, Warwickshire County Council sets a cut off date for claiming Nursery Education Funding. If your child starts after this date, fees will be payable until the next term.
Paid for places are also available throughout the year, subject to availability.