Funding for your child Explained

Where the safety and well being of your child is concerned it is important to select the best child care and education that you are able to afford. In order to help you to calculate this it is useful to be aware of what financial help is available. Outlined briefly below are details of the assistance which may be available to you, the nursery management will be happy to discuss these in more detail.

Childcare Vouchers
Childcare vouchers is a scheme some employers offer to help working parents save on registered childcare costs. Childcare vouchers are not means tested and are available to all working parents whose employers operate childcare voucher schemes. These schemes can save you National Insurance and income tax as a set weekly amount can be deducted from your salary and used to provide childcare vouchers for the same amount. This amount is deducted from the gross salary and is exempt from National Insurance and Income Tax. Our nursery accepts childcare vouchers.

Entitlement

All three and four-year-olds are entitled to 15 hours of free early education a week until they either go into reception class or reach compulsory school age (the term following their fifth birthday). This free entitlement is paid from the term after your child turns three. There is also funding available for 15 hours per week of free early education for two-year-olds whose families are on low income or receiving certain benefits. Please scroll down for full information.

Nursery Education Grant
The amount available per child changes from year to year depending on government funding. The Nursery Manager will be able to confirm the current amount to you and to explain how the system works.
For more information see:
HM Customs & Excise – Child Benefit provides everything you need to know about current child benefit legislation and the process for claiming benefits to which you are entitled.

HM Customs & Excise – Childcare has further information about childcare including details of the Governments childcare voucher scheme.

Funding for Two Year Olds

Up to 15 hours per week of free early education and childcare is available to eligible two year olds from September 2013 as part of the Government's strategy to extend the offer of free early education and childcare.

In order to be eligible families must meet the following criteria:

The child must be two years of age (the funding will start from the term after the child’s second birthday)

Parents need to be in receipt of one of the following to meet the Free School Meals criteria in order to receive two year funding:

Income support

Children who are currently looked after by the local authority (LAC) or who have a special educational need or a disability are automatically eligible for the funding.

Children who are in a family currently working with social care may also qualify for the funding.

Making an application

To apply please visit your local children's centre and ask a family support worker to make an application for you. Your Health Visitor, Social Worker, participating childcare provider or any other professional who is working with your family can make an application for you.

Finding a childcare setting

The person making the application on your behalf will support you to find a suitable childcare setting for your child. You maybe be aware of a childcare setting that you would like to use and can specify this on the application form. The funding can only be accessed at participating childcare providers. The person making the application on your behalf will have the list of participating childcare providers in your area.

HOME