Funded childcare

All three and four-year-olds in England can get 570 hours of free early education or childcare per year, usually taken as 15 hours a week for 38 weeks of the year. Some two-year-olds are also eligible.

  • the funding is flexible and can be accessed at up to two childcare sites for up to 10 hours a day
  • if 15 hours is too much for your child you do not have to use the full 15 hours, this can be built up over time
  • when you start your funded place you will be asked to sign a parent agreement which states the terms and conditions of your child’s placement
  • if your child has been attending a childcare setting as part of the Play 2 Learn funding they will remain at the same setting where possible
  • if there are no places you will need to re-apply at another setting
  • if your child attends a school nursery there is no guarantee this will entitle them to a school place

Free childcare for two-year-olds (Play 2 Learn funding)

To receive 15 hours free childcare for your two year old you must meet certain eligibility criteria.

Apply for free childcare

For more information email Funded.Childcare@bexley.gov.uk

Extended 30 hours offer

Some three and four year old's will be able to get 30 hours funded childcare or education.

The additional 15 hours of funded childcare is available for families where:

  • both parents are working (or the sole parent is working in a lone-parent family)
  • each parent earns at least the equivalent of 16 hours a week at the national minimum or living wage and less than £100,000 a year

Whether your child is two or three they will start their place at the beginning of the term following their birthday. Your two year old can only access a place if they meet the set criteria.

Find out when you can claim

Your child can attend early years settings including childminders, nurseries and preschools. The type of setting you choose depends entirely on your personal preference and what you think is best for your child.

For a list of funded childcare providers:

For more information visit Childcare Choices.

Information for parents

For all offers, Funding Terms are 1& September to 31 December, 1 January to 31 March, 1 April to 31 August. All funding is paid to the childcare providers (not parents) by term.

2 Year Offer

Eligibility and application:

  • if you are eligible you can access this the term after your child turns 2
  • eligibility information can be found at Childcare Choices
  • you can apply via the citizen portal or your childcare provider can help you apply by completing an assisted application with you on their part of the portal
  • once you have made an application and are eligible please show your confirmation email to your chosen childcare provider so they can copy down the reference number, eligibility date etc
  • your childcare provider will ask to you complete and sign a Parent Agreement, you cannot start your funded place without this
  • your child will be able to start their funded place from the date agreed with the childcare provider and stated in the confirmation email

How you can use your place:

  • you can take up the place with a childminder, preschool or nursery and can split your hours across a maximum of 3 different providers working on 2 sites
  • if you only use your funded hours you will not need to make any other payments to your provider
  • you do not need to use your full 15 hours
  • you can use up to 15 hours a week during school term time (38 weeks a year) or you can stretch your funding to cover outside of this (less hours per week for more weeks). This must be agreed and worked out with your childcare provider who will adjust their funding claims accordingly. They must not claim above the maximum for the funding term and claims cannot be backdated
  • once you have taken up a place with a childcare provider you will not be able to change providers midterm. You can change childcare providers at the start of a term only
  • once you are found to be eligible you will remain on the funding until your child moves to the 3 and 4-year-old Universal offer, even if your circumstances change

3 and 4 Year Old Universal Offer

Eligibility:

  • once your child is aged 3 and a term they are automatically entitled to receive 15 funded hours a week. You do not have to make an application, simply speak to your chosen childcare provider
  • your childcare provider will ask to you complete and sign a Parent Agreement, you cannot start your funded place without this

How you can use your place:

  • you can take up the place with a childminder, preschool or nursery and can split your hours across a maximum of 3 different providers working on two sites
  • you can use up to 15 hours a week during school term time (38 weeks a year) or you can stretch your funding to cover outside of this (less hours per week for more weeks). This must be agreed and worked out with your childcare provider who will adjust their funding claims accordingly. They must not claim above the maximum for the funding term and claims cannot be backdated
  • once you have taken up a place with a childcare provider you will not be able to change providers midterm. You can change childcare providers at the start of a term only
  • your child will receive this funding until they attend school (including reception class) or turn 5 (whichever is sooner)

Extended 30 hours Offer

Eligibility and application:

  • if you are eligible you can access the place the term after your child turns 3
  • eligibility information and the application process can be found at Childcare Choices
  • you must apply for the funding before 31 August, 31 December or 31 March (i.e. the term before you want to use it). If you miss this date your funding cannot start until the next term
  • when you have completed your application and are found to be eligible please give your reference number, starting 500, to your chosen childcare provider so they can verify it and confirm your start date
  • you can start a place only at the beginning of the term (up until 14 September, 14 January or 14 April)
  • your childcare provider will ask to you complete and sign a Parent Agreement, you cannot start your funded place without this
  • to remain eligible for the funding you must reconfirm your code every 3 months, HMRC should send reminder emails for you to do this. Your childcare provider will remind you as well
  • if your circumstances change and you are no longer eligible you will fall into your Grace Period. You can remain in your Grace Period for 12 weeks but you cannot start with a new provider during that time

How you can use your place:

  • you can use your funding with a childminder, preschool or nursery and can split your hour's funding across a maximum of 3 different providers working on 2 sites
  • you can use up to 30 hours a week during school term time (38 weeks a year) or you can stretch your funding to cover outside of this (less hours per week for more weeks). This must be agreed and worked out with your childcare provider who will adjust their funding claims accordingly. They must not claim above the maximum for the funding term and claims cannot be backdated
  • if you remain eligible and if you reconfirm your code on time your child will stay on the 30 hours until they start reception

If you have any questions or require further information, please contact funded.childcare@bexley.gov.uk

Tax-Free Childcare 

If you’re a working parent or carer, you can get up to £500 every three months (up to £2,000 a year per child) to help with the costs of childcare. If your child has a disability, you can get up to £1,000 every three months (up to £4,000 a year per child). You can use it to pay for childcare including:

  • childminders
  • nurseries and nannies
  • playschemes
  • before and after school clubs, and holiday clubs 

Find out more and how to apply by visiting childcare choices.