NEWSLETTERS
EMAIL US
0151 677 9255

Funding for Free Nursery Places

Some 2-year-olds are eligible for 15 hours free childcare. Your child can access our Nursery for a funded place the term after they are 2. Term start dates are 1st September, 1stJanuary and 1st April. To be eligible for 15 funded hours early education for a 2-year-old, you must be in receipt of 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
  • Child Tax Credit (but not Working Tax Credit) and have an annual income not over £16,190
  • The Working Tax Credit 4-week run on (the payment you get when you stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit)
  • Working Tax Credits and earn £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
We also offer paid places for 2-year-olds who do not qualify for funding. Some families choose to access some paid sessions prior to their three- or four-year-old funding being available, to help to settle their child. All 3- and 4-year-old children are entitled to 15 hours of universal funded (free) education. We also offer paid places for this age group. Working families may be able to get up to 30 hours free childcare, for 3- and 4-year-old children. This means they can attend school every day or use their hours for three longer days and include breakfast and after school clubs. To be eligible for the additional 15 hours (total of 30) funding you must meet the following criteria:
  • You, and any partner, must each expect to earn (on average) at least £131 per week (equal to 16 hours at the National Minimum or Living Wage).
  • If you, or your partner, are on maternity, paternity or adoption leave, or you’re unable to work because you are disabled or have caring responsibilities, you could still be eligible.
  • You can’t get 30 hours free childcare if you, or your partner, expect to earn £100,000 or more.

Your child can start in their childcare place the term after they turn 3 years old and have received a valid 30 hours code, whichever is later. Term start dates are 1st September, 1stJanuary and 1st April.

You may be asked for further information as part of your application, so apply well ahead of the start date for each term.

To keep your 30 hours free childcare place, you need to check your details are up to date every 3 months. You will receive reminders to do this.

To check if you are eligible for 30 hours (full time) funded place please visit www.childcarechoices.gov.uk and then give the code to one of our Admin Team to secure your child’s place.

If you require any information or have any questions about funding then please contact us at school.

Financial and benchmarking information