Government funding

Government funding is available from the term after your child turns 9 months right though until your child leaves for school, (for eligible working families). This funding provides up to 30 hours of funding over 38 weeks of the year.

What does the Government funding cover?

Government funding provides 15 or 30 hours a week of high quality childcare at your chosen setting.

8am-6pm
8am-1pm
1pm-6pm

In accordance with the Department for Education’s (DfE) Early Years Statutory Framework the funding at Tiddlywinks is:
• Free Delivery: Government funding covers the cost of regulated early education hours only.
• No Top-Ups: We do not charge an hourly fee to bridge the gap between our private rate and local authority funding.
• Voluntary Extras: Charges for meals and consumables are optional as we offer a Thrive and Nourish package. Should you wish to enquire about a space with us our Terms and conditions, Pack Lunch Policy and Funding agreements will be sent to you by email by the relevant nursery setting.
• Access: All eligible families can access early education funding during the nurseries specified funded hours, subject to availability and a valid code.

Your funding provides access to a nursery space subject to space and availability and the EYFS provision but it does not cover food, consumables and any external classes or any additional hours attended beyond your funding entitlement or outside the 38 weeks of government funding. This list of consumables and our external classes are listed in our Thrive and Nourish Package and under our ‘Fees’ section on our website.

Here at Tiddlywinks we offer a ‘Thrive and Nourish package’ for parents who wish to opt in to. This package provides your little one with all their meals including Breakfast, Snacks, Two Course Homemade Lunch, Two Course Homemade Tea as well as our external classes and sundries such as wipes, creams and sun cream.

For parents who choose to not pay for this package this will not effect your access to your child’s space or any of the EYFS provision however you will need to provide your little one with all their meals in line with our pack lunch policy and any extra consumables provided in the package.

Tiddlywinks nurseries accept tax-free childcare and offer government funding for all eligible children.

There is different support available for parents to help financially with their childcare costs this ensures that all children have access to quality provision ensuring the best possible start to their education.

Below is a brief guide to some of the funding available, as well as links to the relevant sites for more information.

Funding for 9 month olds and two-year-olds

Some ( depending on qualifying criteria) 9 month old and two-year-olds are eligible for 30 hours of childcare or nursery education for 38 weeks per year. This funding is available the term after your child turns 9 months or the term after they turn 2. This is only available to working families who meet the eligibility criteria set out by the government. To check the eligibility criteria, please visit Childcare & Early Years Education – Best Start in Life

Funding for three and four-year-olds

All children qualify for universal funding to cover 15 hours of nursery education per week, for 38 weeks of the year. This universal funding begins the term after your child’s third birthday.

Some children are eligible for an additional 15 hours of funding, giving you a total of 30 hours funded childcare for 38 weeks a year. To be eligible for the extra 15 hours you must meet the funding criteria set out by the government. This criteria and eligibility can be checked by using the childcare choices website detailed below

For more details about the different funding options and eligibility criteria, please visit :

Childcare & Early Years Education – Best Start in Life

Funding renewal

Once you receive your funding code ( for any age group) you must ensure that you renew your code every 3 months. This renewal confirms that you continue to be eligible to receive the funding each term. Failure to renew your code may mean that you need to reapply and you may not be eligible for the funded hours whilst you make this application.

How does the funding work in practical terms?

Funded hours are provided by the government and cover 38 weeks of the year. Funding may be claimed across attendance patterns up to a maximum of 10 funded hour per day and in accordance with our daily session times. All non funded chargeable hours will be clearly itemised on your invoice as well as charges for parents who opt in to the Thrive and Nourish package.

Helpful websites to help you apply for your funding and find out further information

Tax free childcare: https://www.gov.uk/tax-free-childcare

Government Funding: https://beststartinlife.gov.uk

Universal Credits: https://www.gov.uk/universal-credit