Changes to Early Years Funding Entitlements: What You Need to Know

There have been big changes to early years funding entitlements over the past year, with even more on the way! These changes mean that more families than ever before can access funded childcare to help with costs.

At Tommies Childcare, we’re committed to helping families make the most of their entitlement to funded hours while continuing to provide the highest quality care and education.

Here’s everything you need to know about what funding is currently available and what’s coming from September 2025.

What Are the Current Funding Entitlements?

At Tommies Childcare, we offer the following funded childcare options for eligible families:

✅ 15 Hours for Disadvantaged 2-Year-Olds – Some families with lower incomes or specific circumstances (such as receiving certain benefits) can claim 15 hours of funded childcare per week for their 2-year-old.

✅ Universal 15 Hours for 3 and 4-Year-Olds – All families with children aged 3 and 4 can access 15 hours of funded early education per week.

✅ 30 Hours for Working Parents of 3 and 4-Year-Olds – Eligible working parents can receive an additional 15 hours, bringing their total to 30 funded hours per week.

✅ (Since April 2024) – Working parents of 2-year-olds became eligible for 15 hours of funded childcare per week.

✅ (Since September 2024) – The 15-hour entitlement was extended to children aged 9 months and above for working parents.

What’s Changing from September 2025?

From September 2025, the biggest expansion of early years funding is coming:

🆕 Eligible working parents of children aged 9 months up to school age will be able to access 30 hours of funded childcare per week.

This means that by September 2025, working parents of children under 5 will receive the same level of support currently available for 3 and 4-year-olds.

When Can My Child Start Funded Childcare?

The table below shows when your child becomes eligible for funded hours based on their date of birth:

If Your Child Turns 9 Months, 2 Years, or 3 Years Between	They Can Start Funded Childcare From
1 April - 31 August	Term starting on or after 1st September
1 September - 31 December	Term starting on or after 1st January
1 January - 31 March	Term starting on or after 1st April

This applies to all early years funding entitlements, including 15 and 30 hours.

If your child is approaching their eligible start date, we recommend contacting your Tommies Childcare nursery as soon as possible to secure a place.

Who Is Eligible?

To qualify for the 15 or 30 hours of funded childcare for working parents, parents must meet the following criteria:

✔️ Each parent (or the sole parent in a single-parent household) must be working and earning at least the National Minimum Wage or Living Wage for 15 hours per week.

✔️ Each parent must earn less than £100,000 per year.

If one parent is not working or earning below the minimum threshold, the family will not qualify for the funding (unless they are exempt, e.g., in cases of disability, caring responsibilities, or maternity/paternity leave).

Who Does the Funding Cover?

The 30 hours of funded childcare applies during term time only, covering 38 weeks per year.

At Tommies Childcare, we offer a stretched funding option to help families access an all-year-round place while claiming their funding entitlement. This means:

✔️ Instead of using 30 hours per week for 38 weeks, families can spread their entitlement across 51 weeks, receiving around 22.36 hours per week instead.

✔️ This provides a steady monthly payment structure, reducing the monthly cost of childcare for families.

✔️ Some of our nurseries do offer term-time only places, but these are limited and subject to availability.

Please note: meals, snacks, and certain additional services are not included in the funding.

Thinking About Increasing Your Sessions?

If your child is already attending one of our nurseries and you’re considering increasing their days or sessions to make use of the new funding entitlements, we recommend speaking to your nursery as soon as possible. Demand for places is high, so checking availability early can help you secure your preferred sessions.

How Do I Apply?

Applying for funded childcare hours is quick and simple!

1. Parents must apply through the Government’s Childcare Choices website: Apply Here.
2. Once your application is approved, you’ll receive a code that needs to be given to your nursery so they can claim the funding on your behalf.
3. You’ll need to renew your application every three months, so keep an eye out for reminders to make sure your funding continues.

Additional Help with Childcare Costs

As well as the new funded entitlements, there are other ways to save on childcare costs:

Tax-Free Childcare: Save 20% on Your Childcare Costs

With Tax-Free Childcare, for every £8 you pay into your childcare account, the Government adds an extra £2 – covering up to £2,000 per child per year (or £4,000 if your child has a disability). This means:

• If your monthly childcare bill is £500, you only need to pay £400, with the Government topping up the rest.
• You can use Tax-Free Childcare alongside funded hours to further reduce your costs.
• Parents can apply for Tax-Free Childcare through the Government website: Register for Tax-Free Childcare Here.

Universal Credit Childcare Support

Families receiving Universal Credit may be able to claim back up to 85% of childcare costs each month. If you qualify, you could receive up to £646 per month for one child or £1,108 per month for two or more children.

Next Steps for Your Child’s Nursery Place

At Tommies Childcare, we know how important it is for families to access affordable, high-quality early years education. These funding changes will give parents the opportunity to benefit from funded hours, making childcare more accessible.

If you’d like to check availability at one of our nurseries or ask any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us – we’re always here to help!