Help with Childcare Costs
Funding
Pre-school funding support
After a child turns 3 , they are entitled to between 15 and 30 hours of funded preschool education. Our flexible approach to childcare, we are able to stretch these funded hours so your childcare continues throughout both term time and non-term time. We are pleased to be able to offer children this funding whilst at Blue Sky either as part of their Day Nursery day or as separate sessions.
Funding for 2-year-olds
We are also able to offer funded places for 2-year-olds, up to 15 hours per week during term time, through the government funded scheme. This scheme was extended in April 2014 to be accessible to more families. This funding can be taken in any of the sessions we offer, AM/PM sessions, full days or short days. As with our preschool, this can be taken on its own or used within day nursery care.
Childcare Choices
Tax Free Childcare – Age 0-11
- For working families, including the self-employed, in the UK
- With children under 12 (or under 17 if disabled)
- For every £8 you pay in, the government will add an extra £2, up to £2,000 per child per year
How can I benefit?
If you’re a working parent with children under 12 (or under 17 for disabled children), you can open an online account to pay for registered childcare.
The government will top-up the money you pay into the account. For every £8 you pay in, the government will add an extra £2. You can receive up to £2,000 per child per year – that’s up to £500 every three months. If you have a disabled child, you can receive up to £4,000 per child – that’s up to £1,000 every three months.
Am I eligible?
You, and any partner, must each expect to earn (on average) at least £125 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 Tax-Free Childcare if either you, or your partner, each individually expect to earn £100,000 or more.
Universal Credit for Childcare – Age 0- 15
- For working families claiming Universal Credit, in England, Scotland and Wales
- With children under 16
- 85% of eligible childcare costs, up to a cap
Am I eligible?
You, and any partner, must be working, or you’re due to start work, and are claiming Universal Credit.
Whether you can claim will depend on where you live and your personal circumstances.
How can I benefit?
You can claim back up to 85% of your eligible childcare costs for children under 16. You could get up to £646 a month for one child, or £1,108 for two or more.
Support while you Study
- Weekly payments from Care to Learn if you’re at school or sixth-form college
- Help through your college if you’re in further education
- A weekly grant if you’re in full-time higher education
You could get weekly payments through care to learn if you’re under 20 at the start of a publicly-funded course, such as a school or sixth form.
You can apply for Discretionary Learner Support– to pay for childcare if you’re 20 or over and in further education, for example, if you’re studying for an NVQ, BTEC or PGCE.
You can apply for a Childcare Grant– if you’re in full-time higher education to pay for childcare costs for children under 15 (or under 17 if they have special needs).
Government Funding
What isn’t covered?
Government funding is not intended to cover the costs of meals, other consumables (such as nappies or sun cream), additional hours or additional activities (such as trips). Providers may charge a fee for these additions. If you choose to pay for these it is an arrangement between you and the childcare provider. However, you must not be required to pay any fee as a condition of taking up a 15 hours place, and must be offered alternative options.
15 hours 2 year old funding
From the term after the child turns 2
- For families in England, receiving some forms of support
- With 2-year-old children
- From 1 January, 1 April or 1 September following your child’s 2nd birthday
- 15 hours of free childcare or early education for 38 weeks
- A total of 570 hours per year, that you can use flexibly with one or more childcare provider
- Blue Sky will allow you to ‘stretch’ the hours over 51 weeks, using fewer hours per week
Am I eligible?
To be able to take up 15 hours of free early education for your two-year-old you must meet the eligibility criteria; visit www.childcarechoices.gov.uk
15 hours 3&4 year old funding
From the term after the child turns 3
- For all families in England
- With 3 and 4-year-old children From 1 January, 1 April or 1 September following your child’s 3rd birthday.
- 15 hours of free childcare or early education for 38 weeks
- A total of 570 hours per year, that you can use flexibly with one or more childcare provider
- Blue Sky will allow you to ‘stretch’ the hours over 51 weeks, using fewer hours per week
Am I eligible?
15 hours of free childcare is available for all families in England.
Additional 15 hours 3&4 year old funding
“30 hours funding”
- For working families in England,
- With 3 and 4-year-old children
- 30 hours of free childcare or early education for 38 weeks (additional 15)
- A total of 1,140 hours per year, that you can use flexibly with one or more childcare provider
- Blue Sky will allow you to ‘stretch’ the hours over 51 weeks, using fewer hours per week
Am I eligible?
You, and any partner, must each expect to earn (on average) at least £125 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 30 hours free childcare if either you, or your partner, each individually expect to earn £100,000 or more.
To keep your 30 hours free childcare place you need to check your details are up to date every 3 months.