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Funded Childcare at Kids Planet

How does funded childcare work at Kids Planet?

At Kids Planet we understand that paying for childcare isn’t always easy which is why we encourage parents to make use of the funded hours offered to them. How many funded hours you get depends on how old your child is and your family circumstances.

Across all our nursery settings, we provide a range of learning and play activities, carefully planned to keep your child active, happy, and engaged.  By helping with childcare costs, funded childcare enables your child to attend a Kids Planet nursery and:

  • experience daily routines and develop good habits helping them to feel secure and safe
  • develop social skills which enable them to form healthy relationships with other people
  • learn how to share and take turns
  • listen and communicate their ideas and become independent
  • build on important skills for social, emotional, and academic success
  • get ready for primary school.

What funded childcare am I currently entitled to?

Working families.
If you are a working family in England and you or your partner are earning at least £183/week (which is the equivalent of 16 hours at National Minimum, or Living Wage),
then you can apply for the following help:

Up to 15 hours per week funded childcare for children aged 9 months (from September 2024) to 3 years.
Up to 30 hours per week funded childcare for children aged aged 3 – 4 years.

If you or your partner are on maternity, paternity or adoption leave, or you’re unable to work because you are either disabled or have caring responsibility, then you could still be eligible.

You won’t be able to get funded childcare if you, or your partner, each individually expect to earn £100,000 net income, or more. From application date, you’ll be eligible for funding at the start of the next term.

If you are in receipt of additional government support

You can apply for the following help

  • Up to 15 hours funded childcare for children aged aged 2 years.

All parents receive up to 15 hours funded childcare for children aged aged 3 years.

Government support includes things like income support, Jobseeker’s allowance, universal credit and child tax credit; but you can also get help with childcare if a child is looked after by local authority or get Disability Living Allowance.

 

Tax Free Childcare 

Tax free childcare is a government scheme to help working parents with the cost of their childcare. Aimed at families with children aged 0-11 or up to 17 if their child has a disability, the scheme can save families up to £2,000 per child per year or £4,000 for a child with a disability. You apply for the tax free childcare through the same gateway account as your funded application and we accept payment from this account to all of our English nurseries.

 

FUNDED CHILDCARE FAQS .

When does 15 hours per week funded childcare start?

 From the term after a child turns 9 months.

How can I check if I’m eligible for funded childcare?

For more information, visit Childcare Choices 

How do I apply for funded childcare?

You will be asked by HMRC for details such as your name, address, date of birth and National Insurance number, as well as the same details for your partner (if you have one). You will be asked whether you expect to meet the income requirements over the coming three months and whether you are in receipt of any relevant benefits.

Can I spread the funded childcare hours over the year?

Yes! The 15/30-hour funded childcare is paid for 38 weeks of the year.  As most working parents prefer the funding to be spread over the year, the number of funded hours each week is more like 11 or 22. This equates to 570 per year for 15-hour funding and 1140 hours per year on the 30-hour funding scheme.

I have a 2-year-old, and I don’t meet the working parent criteria can I apply for funded childcare?

Parents of 2-year-olds who claim certain benefits, and, cared for children are entitled to funded hours. Parents will usually receive information from their Local Authority if they are eligible as they need to provide the nursery with their reference (in some Councils) which is usually in letter form. Working parents who meet the eligibility criteria can also apply for the 15 hours funded childcare from the term after their child turns two.

What is the minimum income to apply for free funded childcare? 

You, and any partner, must each expect to earn (on average) at least £167 per week (equal to 16 hours at the National Minimum).

How can I check if I’m eligible for funded childcare?

For more information, visit Childcare Choices 

 

When do the government changes to funded childcare come into place?

September 2024 – all working parents of children aged 9 months up to 4 years old can access 15 hours funded per week

September 2025 – all working parents of children aged 9 months up to 4 years old can access 30 hours funded childcare per week.

How can I find out more information about these changes?

Our recent blog outlines the changes being made and what they mean for working parents. You can also watch our CEO, Clare Roberts discuss the issue on the BBC’s Question Time. 

How do I find funded childcare near me?

All our nurseries accept funded childcare places, subject to eligibility. Find your nearest nursery at Kids Planet

Funding in Wales

Families eligible for funded childcare for two-year-olds in Wales will receive 12.5 hours of funded, high-quality childcare per week for 39 weeks of the year. Funding can only be accessed with an approved provider, under agreement with the Local Authority Flying Start team. Full information can be found here.

TAX FREE CHILDCARE FAQs

What is tax free childcare?

Tax free childcare is a government initiative which helps eligible working parents with the cost of childcare. For every £8 you pay into an online account, the government will add an extra £2, up to £2000 per child per year. Tax-free childcare can be used to help cover the cost of nurseries, breakfast and after school clubs.  For more details visit Childcare Choices  website

Can I claim tax free childcare alongside 30 hours funded childcare?

Yes, you can claim 30 hours funding alongside tax free childcare.  

Is Tax-free childcare just for toddlers?

No, Tax-free childcare can help you cover costs of childcare for children up to 11 or 17 if they are disabled. 

Is Tax -free childcare available for everyone?

Tax free childcare is open to workers, including parents who are self-employed. To be eligible, you need to earn at least minimum wage, but less than £100,000 a year.

How do I apply for Tax free childcare?

You apply for a Tax-Free Childcare account online via the Childcare Choices website.  You’ll then be able to pay money into an online account that will be topped up by the government each month and paid to your registered childcare provider.

 

 Where can I read more about the funded childcare I am entitled to?

Read more about how to apply the tax-free childcare or get in touch with one of our Nursery Managers to find out more about funded places or tax-free childcare at Kids Planet.

For more information about our policies and facilities, our Parent FAQs are a helpful resource to navigate you through them.

 

Find our more about funded childcare at Kids Planet Day Nurseries
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