FAQ

A child is entitled to funding from the start of the school term, which falls after their 2nd birthday, if their parents are working. There are three terms in an academic/school year (autumn, spring & summer). See the key dates table below to work out when your child will be entitled to funding.

Funding is provided by the Government as follows: There are two different routes to funding.

• 15 hrs funding for working parents:

15 hours per week for 38 weeks per year – both parents should be in work for at least 16 hpw, each earning at least National Minimum Wage up to £100k pa.  

• You may also be eligible if one parent is working and the other is receiving Incapacity Benefit, Severe Disablement Allowance, Carer’s Allowance, Employment & Support Allowance or is on Maternity/Paternity Leave.
• Apply online: http://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/

Each deadline is stated on the website.   
Once your application is approved, you will receive an 11-digit code. 

You might receive your code automatically if you have a Tax-Free Childcare account.

15 hours ‘Together for two’s funding: Access to this funding depends on specific criteria, such as if your child has additional needs or if your family receives any of the following benefits:

• Income-based Job Seekers Allowance
• Income Support
• Child Tax Credit and/or Working Tax Credit (your annual gross income mustn’t be over £16,190)
• Universal Credit (if you and your partner are on a low income from work – this usually means a combined income of less than £15,400 a year after tax
• Disability Related Working Tax Credit
• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
• Support under part six of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
• Pension Credit Guarantee and Child Tax Credit.

Funding covers only the core elements of childcare.  Government guidance states :

“Providers…can charge for meals and snacks as part of free entitlement places, and they can also charge for consumables, such as nappies or sun cream, and for services such as trips and specialist tuition… Providers who choose to offer the free entitlements are responsible for setting their own policy on providing parents with options for alternatives to additional charges…”

 For our funded places we ask for a contribution of £2.00 per week towards either breakfast, snacks, or tea, consumables, and sun cream.  This can be paid directly to your room staff, or can be paid via bank transfer, you can pay weekly, monthly, or termly, whichever is most convenient.

Please pick up an up-to-date price list from us, these are available from our information station or on request via email

Our fees are charged in advance, and you will receive an invoice via your blossom app on the 1st of each month. Payment must be made by the 22nd.

Nothing! You can continue to use your TFC account to pay your fees, so you will continue to benefit from your usual tax savings in addition to the savings provided by funding.

Yes. Many of our parents take advantage of the lower fees to increase their child’s sessions.  If you wish to increase your child’s days, please give us as much notice as possible as demand is currently very high.  We’ll then send you a breakdown of your new fees if we can accommodate your request.

If you wish to split your child’s funding between us and another setting or childminder, our stipulation is that we claim a minimum of 10 hours of funding per week.