Funded Childcare Places

3-4 Year-Olds

All 3 and 4 year olds, and some 2 year olds, in England can get free early education or childcare, usually 15 hours a week for 39 weeks of the year.

Some working parents are 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. We offer this over 3 full days Mon - Weds or Weds to Fri, any additional days would be chargeable.

If you follow the link below it will take you to the gov.uk website, where you can apply for the 30 free hours. 

Who is eligible

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 equates to £140 a week (or about £7,255 a year) for each parent over 25 years old or £131.20 a week (or about £6,822 a year) for each parent between 21 and 24 years old. (These rates were correct in April 2020). National Minimum/Living Wage rates change every April. Please check the Gov.uk website for up-to-date information on the National Minimum Wage 

·         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.

Who will not qualify?

A parent will not meet the criteria 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)

·         One parent is non working

You can start claiming the free child care the term after your child turns 3. The date you can claim will depend on when their birthday is.

Child’s birthday	When you can claim
1 January to 31 March	the beginning of term on or after 1 April
1 April to 31 August	the beginning of term on or after 1 September
1 September to 31 December	the beginning of term on or after 1 January

At Highbury Community Nursery we offer the Government funded 15 hours over 2 days from 9 to 4.30 subject to availability. In line with the new government childcare scheme coming into place from April 2024, this will be expanded in phases here at Highbury Nursery. See the link below for more information on this

April 2024 Government Funded Childcare

2 Year-Olds

Some 2 year-olds in England can also get free early education and childcare.

You must be in receipt one of the following:

·         Income Support

·         Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)

·         Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)

·         Universal Credit, and your household income is £15,400 a year or less after tax, not including benefit payments

·         Support through part 6 of the Immigration and Asylum Act

·         The guaranteed element of State Pension Credit

·         Child Tax Credit (but not Working Tax Credit) and have an annual income not over £16,190

·         The Working Tax Credit 4-week run on (the payment you get when you stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit)

·         Working Tax Credits and earn £16,190 a year or less

If you meet the above criteria then you will need to complete a separate form, by following the link below 

which will take you to the Islington's website where you can fill the form in online.  Once you receive confirmation back from Islington Council stating your eligibility status then please bring this letter in to us where we will make a copy of it and can then consider your child for a place at Highbury Nursery.

You can start claiming the free child care the term after your child turns 2.