Early years funding guide
Early years funding
Early Years Funding is a government-funded scheme delivered through local authorities, designed to help families access high-quality early education and childcare with an Ofsted-registered provider.
The number of funded hours available depends on a child’s age and family circumstances, including factors such as working parent eligibility and household circumstances.
All childcare providers offering funded places must follow the statutory guidance set by the Department for Education (DfE), alongside the requirements of their local authority provider agreement. National funding guidelines include:
- funded childcare cannot exceed 10 hours in a single day,
- funded hours must be accessed between 6:00am and 8:00pm,
- and children may access funded childcare with a maximum of two providers in one day.
Stretched funding
We understand that childcare funding can sometimes feel complicated, but our team is always here to help guide you through the process.
At New Beginnings, we offer a stretched funding model, which allows funded childcare hours to be spread across more weeks of the year rather than term-time only. This can help families access funded childcare more consistently throughout the year, including during school holiday periods.
Depending on eligibility, families may be entitled to either 15 or 30 funded hours per week during term time, which are then stretched across the year in line with Local Authority guidance and nursery operating weeks.
Please note that stretched funding arrangements may vary for families joining during the Spring or Summer terms. Full details can be found within our Funding Policy or by speaking with your nursery directly.
Funding guide
There are a range of government-funded childcare schemes available to help families with the cost of childcare. Depending on your eligibility and your child’s age, these schemes can significantly reduce your childcare costs and support access to early education.
Government-funded childcare is available for eligible children aged between 9 months and 4 years.
For further information about how funding is delivered at New Beginnings, including our stretched funding model and fee structure, please refer to our Understanding Fees and Funding Guide.