Funded childcare, made easier to understand
Childcare funding can feel complicated, but we're here to help. Discover what support may be available, when you can claim and how funded childcare works at Kids Planet.
What funded childcare could you receive?
Childcare funding works differently across the UK, so the support available depends on where your nursery is based.
England
Eligible working parents can receive up to 30 hours of funded childcare for children aged nine months to four years, up to 1,140 hours a year.
All three and four-year-olds can receive 15 universal funded hours, while some two-year-olds may also qualify for additional government support.
Scotland
All three and four-year-olds receive 1,140 hours of funded Early Learning and Childcare, regardless of whether their parents are working.
Wales
Eligible working parents of three and four-year-olds can receive up to 30 hours of funded childcare for 48 weeks of the year.
Are you eligible?
For working-parent entitlements, eligibility depends on factors including your earnings, household income and employment circumstances.
Earnings
You and your partner will usually need to meet the minimum earnings requirement. Parents working variable or zero-hours contracts may still qualify where average earnings meet the required threshold.
Income
Neither parent can have an adjusted net income above £100,000 in the current tax year.
Parental leave
Maternity, paternity, adoption and sick leave can still count as working for eligibility purposes, although different rules may apply when claiming for the child you are currently on leave for.
Term-time or stretched funding?
Your funded childcare hours are normally available over 38 weeks of the year.
At Kids Planet, you may also be able to spread your entitlement across more weeks, giving you fewer funded hours each week but more consistent support throughout the year.
For example, 30 funded hours per week during term time equates to 1,140 hours annually. When spread across 52 weeks, that’s approximately 22 hours per week.
The arrangements available depend on your nursery and your child’s eligibility. Your nursery team can help you understand your options.
More help with childcare costs
Tax-Free Childcare can be used alongside funded hours. For every £8 you pay into your childcare account, the government adds £2, up to the relevant annual limit.
Additional support may also be available through Early Years Pupil Premium and Disability Access Funding, depending on your child’s circumstances and eligibility.
Understanding funded and additional costs
Government funding is designed to cover funded early education and childcare hours. It does not necessarily cover everything associated with a nursery day, including meals, consumables and additional activities.
At Kids Planet, families can choose between different contract arrangements depending on how they want to use their funded childcare.
Funded Only
A funded-only option is also available. The exact arrangements can vary by nursery and Local Authority, so families should speak with their nursery for the details that apply to them.
Above and Beyond
Our Above and Beyond contract includes an Essentials & Extras charge on the parts of your booking where funding is used, covering areas such as meals, consumables and activities.
| Full day | Half day | Short day | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Meals and snacks | £7.00 | £3.50 | £5.60 |
| Consumables | £2.00 | £1.00 | £1.60 |
| Activities | £1.00 | £0.50 | £0.80 |
| Total for all three | £10.00 | £5.00 | £8.00 |
The charges above are for optional meals, consumables and activities. The amount you pay will depend on your child’s booking and how their funded hours are applied. If you’d prefer not to use these services, please speak with your nursery team about the alternatives available.
Remember to reconfirm your code.If you receive working-parent funded hours, you need to revalidate your eligibility with HMRC every three months. Funding Loop does not do this automatically, so it’s important to keep your code up to date to avoid your extended funding stopping
Common questions about funded childcare
Invoices are sent by email and can also be viewed through the Famly app.
There is no registration fee if you attend solely for funded hours. A registration fee may apply where you also book private hours
Working-family funding begins from the term following a successful application. Missing the relevant term deadline can mean waiting until the next term before funding begins.
Sometimes, but changes can affect the number of funded hours you can claim, so speak to your nursery before changing your sessions.
Yes. Funding can be split across a maximum of two settings in one day, provided each provider knows how the funding is being shared.
In most year-round settings, bookings are charged across 52 weeks, including bank holidays, closures and other non-attendance.