Universal Entitlement

All 3 and 4 year olds are eligible for 15 hours per week of free early education. This is a universal entitlement for all children. The full-time entitlement is an extension of the current entitlement and provides an additional 15 hours of free childcare for children that are eligible.

Eligibility for a Full-Time Place

Some working parents will be eligible for an additional 15 hours of free childcare for their 3 and 4 year olds. These families will be able to access up to 30 hours of free childcare a week, 38 weeks a year.

• If their birthday is before 1 September, they can start in the autumn term
• If their birthday is before 1 January, they can start in the spring term
• If their birthday is before 1 April, can start in the summer term

You will need to apply well in advance as you must have your 'eligibility code' before the term starts.

You may be eligible for 30 hours of free childcare if your circumstances are as follows:

• Both parents are earning or expect to earn the equivalent to 16 hours at National Minimum or Living Wage over the coming three months.
• This applies whether you are in paid employment, self-employed or on zero hours contract.
• The parent (and their partner where applicable) should be seeking the free childcare to enable them to work.
• Where one or both parents are on maternity, paternity, shared parental or adoption leave, or if they are on statutory sick leave.
• Where one parent meets the income criteria and the other is unable to work because they are disabled, have caring responsibilities or have been assessed as having limited capability to work.
• Where a parent is in a ‘start-up period’ (i.e. they are newly self-employed) they do not need to demonstrate that they meet the income criteria for 12 months.
• If a non-EEA national, the parent must have recourse to public funds.

The eligibility criteria will not be met when:

• Either parent has an income of more than £100,000
• Either parent is a non-EEA national and subject to immigration control (and has no recourse to public funds)

How to apply

To find out if you are eligible for 30 hours free childcare, you can apply now on the Childcare Service. You will need your national insurance number and, where applicable, your partner’s national insurance number to fill in the application form.

Apply for free childcare  

To keep your 30 hours free childcare place, you will need to check your details are up to date every 3 months at www.gov.uk/childcareaccount. If you don't, the funding is stopped.

 What if I don't qualify, but will still like a full time place?

We also offer the opportunity for families to ‘top-up’ their child’s 15 hour free nursery entitlement (Sun & Star Class ONLY) to a full time place (totalling 30 hours). The full-time hours will be 9.00am-3.00pm, Monday to Friday. This can be extended to 8am-5.45pm by applying for our breakfast and tea club provision, further information is available from the office. 

 Proof of Household Income will be required to confirm banding.