Quality childcare is expensive and we do appreciate how daunting your child’s fees are- however broken down per hour you would pay a cleaner or a dog walker more!! For almost all of us, some of the cost can be offset in a variety of ways. The government have set up a ‘one stop shop’ which aims to give parents information on the variety of ways they can save money on their childcare costs.

https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/

What help is available?

Tax Free Childcare

  • For working families, including the self-employed, in the UK
  • Earning under £100k and an average of £167 per week (equal to 16 hours at the National Minimum or Living Wage) each over three months
  • Who aren’t receiving Tax Credits, Universal Credit or childcare vouchers
  • With children aged 0-11 (or 0-16 if disabled)
  • For every £8 you pay into an online account, the government will add an extra £2, up to £2,000 per child per year

2 yr old funding-Targeted

  • For families in England, receiving some forms of government support/ benefits
  • Valid from the term after your child turns 2
  • To be able to take up 15 hours of funded childcare for your two-year-old you or your child must meet the eligibility criteria. Please visit GOV.UK for further information.
  • A total of 570 hours per year, that you can use flexibly with one or more childcare provider
  • At Little Ones Childcare you can stretch this funding over 52 weeks a year meaning 11 hrs a week or use it term time only meaning 15 hrs a week

OR 2 yr old funding- for working families

  • Valid from the term after your child turns 2
  • You, and any partner, must each expect to earn (on average) at least £167 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’tget this funding if you, or your partner, each individually expect to earn £100,000 adjusted net income or more.
  • A total of 570 hours per year, that you can use flexibly with one or more childcare provider
  • At Little Ones Childcare you can stretch this funding over 52 weeks a year meaning 11 hrs a week or use it term time only meaning 15 hrs a week

3+ 4 yr old universal funding

  • For all families in England
  • Valid from the term after your child turns 3
  • A total of 570 hours per year, that you can use flexibly with one or more childcare provider
  • At Little Ones Childcare you can stretch this funding over 52 weeks a year meaning 11 hrs a week or use it term time only meaning 15 hrs a week

OR 3 + 4 yr old funding-for working families

  • For working families in England
  • Valid from the term after your child turns 3
  • You, and any partner, must each expect to earn (on average) at least £167 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 this funding if you, or your partner, each individually expect to earn £100,000 adjusted net income or more.
  • A total of 1,140 hours per year, that you can use flexibly with one or more
    childcare provider
  • At Little Ones Childcare you can stretch this funding over 52 weeks a year meaning 22 hrs a week or use it term time only meaning 30 hrs a week

Baby funding- for working families (FROM SEPT 2024- DETAILS STILL TO BE CONFIRMED)

  • Valid from the term after your baby turns 9 months
  • You, and any partner, must each expect to earn (on average) at least £167 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 this funding if you, or your partner, each individually expect to earn £100,000 adjusted net income or more.
  • At Little Ones Childcare you can stretch this funding over 52 weeks a year meaning 11 hrs a week or use it term time only meaning 15 hrs a week

Universal credit help with childcare fees

  • For working families claiming Universal Credit
  • With children under 17
  • Up to 85% of eligible childcare costs
  • You can’t use this as well as Tax Free Childcare