What is government funded childcare?
Government-funded childcare is support from the government to help with the cost of nursery fees while giving your child the very best start in life. From September 2025, eligible working parents of children aged nine months up to school age can access up to 30 hours a week, for 38 weeks of the year.
As Wise Owls is open for 48 weeks of the year we stretch your entitlement across the year. The means we can offer a maximum of either 12 funded hours or 24 funded hours a week - Please view of fee sheet for more information.
These funded hours are designed to make childcare more affordable for families and to ensure every child can enjoy high-quality early education in a safe, nurturing environment.
At Wise Owls Nursery School, we make it simple to claim your funded hours, so you can focus on what matters most - watching your little ones discover our world at their feet.
Who Can Apply?
You can apply if all of these are true:
You live in England.
Your child is over 9 months old.
You (and your partner, if you have one) each earn at least £183 per week on average (16 hours at the National Minimum Wage).
Neither you nor your partner has a net income over £100,000 a year.
💡Top Tip: If you’re on maternity, paternity or adoption leave, or can’t work because of a disability or you're a carer, you can still apply.
How to Apply?
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Visit the government help with chilldcare site
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Sign in or create an account (to create an account you will first need your Government Gateway user ID. If you’re a new user, you will need to register for one here).
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Enter your details (you, your partner, your child).
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Check you meet the criteria and click “Apply”.
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Wait for your code by email.
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Give your code to us along with your NI number. You can do this via email or at drop-off.
💡Top tip: A separate code is required for each child – codes cannot be shared between siblings.
When to Apply?
You must have your code before the term starts, and the application deadline depends on when your child becomes eligible.
Here's how it works:
You can apply when your child is 23 weeks old, and the funded hours begin in the term after your child turns 9 months.
Application deadlines align with term start dates:
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Apply by 31 August for childcare to begin from 1 September
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Apply by 31 December to start 1 January
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Apply by 31 March to begin 1 April
💡Top tip: Applying early - around 4 weeks before the deadline - can help you avoid delays in processing.
Active Code
To make sure your funded childcare hours continue without interruption, you’ll need to reconfirm your details every three months in your GOV.UK childcare account.
It only takes a few minutes to complete and helps ensure that:
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Your personal and childcare details stay up to date.
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Your funding code remains valid.
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You avoid any break in your government-funded hours or nursery place.
💡Top tip: You’ll receive reminder emails from HMRC, but it’s always a good idea to set a personal reminder too — keeping your funding on track is quick and easy!
Guide to Universal Credit
Childcare vouchers or Tax Free Childcare ?
Best Start Stratergy
Childcare costs can feel overwhelming but support is out there. Alongside funded hours, some families may get help through the childcare element of Universal Credit (UC) – it can cover up to 85% of your childcare costs (if you’re eligible) What is the childcare element? Part of Universal Credit that helps working parents pay for childcare so they can work or take on more hours. Available for care provided by a registered provider (Ofsted-registered nurseries, childminders, wraparound clubs, etc.) How much can UC cover? Up to 85% of costs, up to: £1,014.63 per month (one child) £1,739.37 per month (two or more children) Extra support may be available if your child has a disability. Who can claim? You (and your partner, if you live together) usually need to: Live in the UK Be over 18 and under State Pension age Be in paid work or about to start Have savings under £16,000 Use registered childcare (You might still qualify if on maternity/paternity/adoption leave, or Statutory Sick Pay. How payments work Pay your childcare bill, then report the amount in your UC account. UC refunds up to 85% in your next payment (usually a week after your assessment period ends). Two-child limit? There’s no limit on the number of children you can claim for, but the monthly cap is £1,739.37 (higher if a child is disabled). Support can also cover: Settling-in sessions Travel time to work Care if work ends or hours vary Two-child limit? There’s no limit on the number of children you can claim for, but the monthly cap is £1,739.37 (higher if a child is disabled). Can I combine UC with other help? You can’t use Tax-Free Childcare at the same time as UC. You can combine UC with government-funded hours (15 or 30 hrs). Using UC at Wise Owls Nursery School Secure your nursery place. Apply for funded hours (if eligible). Pay your invoice, then report payments via UC. UC refunds up to 85% of eligible costs.
Want to save on nursery fees? Two main schemes exist – but only one is open to new applicants. Tax-Free Childcare (open now) Pay into an online childcare account – for every £8 you add, the government tops up £2 (up to £2,000 per child, per year / £4,000 if disabled). For children up to 11 (16 if disabled). Use for nurseries, childminders, wraparound & holiday clubs. Parents usually must each earn at least £152/week (£2,379/quarter if self-employed). Not available if you (or a partner) earn £100k+, or if you claim Universal Credit or Working Tax Credit childcare support. Childcare Vouchers (closed to new joiners) Salary-sacrifice scheme (ended for new applicants in 2018). You can keep using vouchers if you joined before closure and stayed with the same employer. Valid for registered childcare until your child is 15 (16 if disabled). Leave your employer or switch to Tax-Free Childcare → you can’t rejoin. Which is best? Vouchers may suit lower childcare costs or families where one parent isn’t working. Tax-Free Childcare often benefits those with higher costs, more than one child, or self-employment. If you get Universal Credit childcare, that can cover up to 85% – usually the best option. 👉 Use the government calculator to see what saves you most. At Wise Owls Nursery School we accept both Tax-Free Childcare and valid Childcare Vouchers, and you can combine them with your funded hours to maximise savings.
The first five years of a child’s life are the most important for their learning, health, and future opportunities. The Government’s new “Best Start in Life” strategy sets out how all children, whatever their background, should be supported to thrive from birth to school age. What the strategy means for families More support for families – through local Family Hubs that bring together health, parenting, and early learning advice in one place. High-quality early education and childcare – so every child can enjoy learning, play, and social opportunities. Inclusion and fairness – making sure that children with additional needs and those from disadvantaged backgrounds get the help they need early. Skilled and supported staff – ensuring early years professionals have the training and resources to give children the very best start. How we put this into practice At Wise Owls Nursery School, we are committed to giving children the very best start in life: We provide a safe, nurturing environment where children learn through play, exploration, and positive relationships. We work closely with families, recognising that parents are children’s first and most important educators. We encourage inclusive practice and tailor support to meet each child’s individual needs. We collaborate with local services, including health and family support teams, so families can easily access wider help when needed. We invest in our staff through ongoing training and development, ensuring your child is cared for by knowledgeable, skilled, and caring practitioners. Together, we can make sure every child has the strongest possible start, building confidence, curiosity, and a love of learning that will stay with them for life.