We want to make things easier for you
The government provide different funding options dependent on your circumstances and we have set out below how these are assessed. All the funding options below cover 38 weeks of the year, but where possible Little Owls we will allow you to ‘stretch’ the hours over 51 weeks, using fewer hours per week.
We would, of course, be happy to discuss this further and help you with this process, if required. Further information about funding can be obtained from the Governments Childcare Choices website.
Funding Options
From September 2024
15 hours childcare support will be extended to eligible working parents of children from the age of 9 months to 3-year-olds. Extending to 30 hours in September 2025. Please visit GOV.UK for further information.
Two Year Old Funding
Your 2-year-old can get free childcare if you live in England and get any of the following benefits:
Income Support
income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
Universal Credit, and your household income is £15,400 a year or less after tax, not including benefit payments
the guaranteed element of Pension Credit
Child Tax Credit, Working Tax Credit (or both), and your household income is £16,190 a year or less before tax
3 – 4 Year Old Funding Universal Hours
All 3 to 4-year-olds in England can get 570 free hours per year. It’s usually taken as 15 hours a week for 38 weeks of the year, but you can choose to take fewer hours over more weeks.
3 – 4 Year old Funding Extended Hours
You may be able to get 30 hours free childcare if:
you live in England
your child is 3 to 4 years old
