Free childcare places for 2 year olds

You may qualify for 15 hours free childcare per week if your child is aged two. However, there are a number of requirements which need to be met.
The 15 hours free childcare for two-year-olds are for families which receive some form of support, such as income support, Universal Credit or other benefits, or their child has, for example, Special Educational Needs (SEND)

To be eligible, parents and guardians must receive one of the following benefits:

• Universal Credit and household income is £15,400 per year or less after tax
• Tax credits, and household income is £16,190 per year or less after tax
• Income Support
• Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
• The guaranteed element of Pension Credit
• The Working Tax Credit 4-week run on (payment you receive when you stop qualifying)

Or, if their child:

• Is looked after by a local authority
• Receives Disability Living Allowance
• Has Special Educational Needs (SEND)
• Is subject of a kinship or guardianship order
• In terms of how you can use the hours, the same rules apply as they do with three and four-year-olds.

You get a total of 570 hours per year, which you can choose to either stretch (subject to provider
approval) or use 15 hours per week for 38 weeks. Further, there may still be extra costs involved,
such as paying for meals, nappies and activities.

When can eligible children start their free place?

•  If your child’s 2nd birthday falls between 1 January and 31 March, they will be entitled to a free
  place from the start of the summer term (after Easter)
• If your child’s 2nd birthday falls between 1 April and 31 August, they will be entitled to a free
  place from the start of the autumn term (early September)
• If your child’s 2nd birthday falls between 1 September and 31 December, they will be entitled to
  a free place from the start of the spring term (early January)

How do I apply?

As stated above you may qualify for 15 hours free childcare per week if your child is aged two. However, there are a number of requirements which need to be met. (please see the list above).
If you would like Sherwood Green Nursery to check your eligibility we are more than happy to assist you in this, however if you would like to check your eligibility from the comfort of your home
then please self check on www.childcarechoices.gov.uk

Free children places for 3 & 4 years olds – 15 or 30 hours funding

15 Hours Funding

All children aged three and four are entitled to 15 hours free childcare, you do not have to apply.
Instead, contact our nursery and we will apply on your behalf once you have shown us proof of your child’s age, such as their birth certificate.

When is my child entitled to a funded place?

• If your child’s 3rd birthday falls between 1 January and 31 March, they will be entitled to a free place from the start of the summer term (after Easter)
• If your child’s 3rd birthday falls between 1 April and 31 August, they will be entitled to a free place from the start of the autumn term (early September)
• If your child’s 3rd birthday falls between 1 September and 31 December, they will be entitled to a free place from the start of the spring term (early January)

Working parents can get up for 30 hours free childcare

The 30 hours free childcare scheme is for working parents with three and four-year-old children. It allows parents to access childcare and early education services for 30 hours per week, for 38 weeks of the year (during term time).

You may be able to use fewer than 30 hours per week and spread them across a larger part of the year:

For example, you could stretch your childcare from 38 weeks to 52 and still be covered by the 30 hours free childcare scheme. This would mean that you would take out about 22 hours per week for 52 weeks, instead of the full 30 hours per week for 38 weeks.

How do I apply?

To claim this funding you will need an entitlement code, which can be applied for by visiting www.childcarechoices.gov.uk

Babies under 2 years old

Babies under 2 years old are currently not entitled to any funding from the government, but tax free childcare is available to help! You ca also apply for child tax credit or universal credit to help.
​The government is currently in discussions regarding this so please check back here in case babies become eligible.