Don't forget - the funding application window for the January term closes on the 31st December. To make sure you don't miss out on your hours, we recommend applying or reconfirming your eligibilty as soon as possible.
Everything you need to know about Childcare Funding
Confused about childcare funding?
Then we're here to help make it simple! In this video you can find out everythng you need to know about accessing your childcare funded hours at Your Coop Little Pioneers Nursery and pre-Schools.
What is 30 hours funding?
From September 2025 eligible children in England over 9 months old will be entitled to receive 30 hours a week of government funded childcare, increasing from the exisiting 15 hours funding. This is calculated on the school term time (38 weeks) and provides a total of 1,140 childcare funding hours over the 52 weeks of the year.
If you currently receive the existing 15 hours for working families, you can reconfirm your eligibilty as usual and the code will work for the 30 hours offer in September.
How funding works at Your Co-op Little Pioneers
Making your funded hours work for you.
Our nurseries operate all year round so you can spread your funded hours across the full year. Using your funding across 52 weeks gives you 22 hours a week or 1,140 hours over the year. This works out to 2 full days or 4 half days of free childcare (please note some local authorities restrict the amount of funding you take to 10 hours per day).
The only thing you'll be asked to pay for during these funded sessions are meals, which are also charged during non-funded sessions. We won't ask you to pay more than £5 per day, even if your little one has all 3 meals with us. Our meal charges are £1 for breakfast, £2 for lunch, and £2 for dinner, which covers all snacks and consumables.*
Some of our nurseries also offer term time only places. For more information, please speak to you local nursery manager.
Confused about childcare funding?
Then we're here to help make it simple! In the videos below you can find out exactly how we apply funded hours across the whole year and any additional charges we have at Your Coop Little Pioneers nursery and pre-schools.
Eligibility Criteria
30 hours funded childcare is available to eligible children of working parents.
You will be eligible for 30 hours funding provided you (and your partner, if you have one) as of April 2024, work at least 16 hours a week at the National Minimum or Living Wage. This works out at: -
£183 per week if you're over 21.
£137 per week if you're 18 to 20.
£102 per week if you're under 18 or an apprentice.
If you or your partner has an expected salary over £100,000 in the current tax year you will not be eligible.
Parents in a newly self-employed role (start-up period) do not need to provide evidence they meet the salary criteria for 12 months.
Confused about childcare funding?
Then we're here to help make it simple! In the video below you can find out exactly what childcare funding you are eligible to apply for!
Childcare Funding - What am I eligible to claim?
How to apply for 30 hours funded childcare
When your funding starts depends on the when your child turns 9 months old.
Funding kicks in from the school term after your child turns 9 months old, (school terms start in January, April, and September). You can apply during the term before they turn 9 months, but the funding will not be applied until the following term.
The table below shows when you can access the funding and when you should apply:
| If my child turns 9 months old between | I can access 30 hours funding from | And I need to apply by |
| 1st January to March 31st | Term starting on or after April 1st | 31st March |
| 1st April to August 31st | Term starting on or after September 1st | 31st August |
| 1st September to December 31st | Term starting on or after January 1st | 31st December |
Example:
If your child is 9 months old in May you can apply for your code during the April term. If your application is successful then the funding would be applied from the September term.
To apply visit the Childcare Choices website to fill in an application form and apply your funding code. If you're not able to access the website you can call Childcare Choices on 0300 123 4097.
When you apply, you will need the following to complete your application:
-
National Insurance Number
-
The date you started or are due to start work
-
Details of any government support or benefits you may recieve
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The UK birth certificate reference number for your child (if you have one).
It's really important to remember that you need to reconfirm you are eligible for childcare funding every three months (four times a year). You'll be reminded of these deadlines and the process is simple, but if eligibility isn't reconfirmed then you could miss out on your funded hours.
Confused about childcare funding?
Then we're here to help make it simple! In the video below you can find out exactly when you need to apply for your code to access your childcare funded hours at Your Coop Little Pioneers nursery and pre-schools.
Childcare Funding - When To Apply
*For children accessing a fully funded place, these charges are voluntary and are not a condition of taking a funded space at Your Co-op Little Pioneers. Talk to the nursery manager for more information.