How it works:

From the date of its introduction in April 2024 we are pleased to be able to offer all eligible 2 year olds up to 15 hours of funded childcare (*please refer below for eligibility criteria) during term time, i.e., it does not apply to holiday club bookings.  Subject to confirmation of eligibility, the funding starts from the term after your child turns 2 years old.  The cut off dates for each term, as set out by the government’s Early Years funding entitlement programme, are: 

• If your child turns 2 years old between 1 September and 31 December, they will be eligible for 2 year old funding from the beginning of the Spring Term 
• If your child turns 2 years old between 1 January and 31 March, they will be eligible for 2 year old funding from the beginning of the Summer Term 
• If your child turns 2 years old between 1 April and 31 August, they will be eligible for 2 year old funding from the beginning of the Autumn Term 

At St Ives you can apply the Government’s Early Years funded childcare hours to the following sessions:

• AM (8.30am – 12.00pm) - 3hrs
• AML (8.30 – 1.00pm) - 4hrs
• AD (8.30am – 3.00pm) - 6hrs

You can claim up to 15hrs each week. 

Please see below for examples:

If your child is 2 and attends 3 x AML sessions each week, the funding is applied in the following way:

• 3 x AML sessions = £143.40
• Less Early Years funding of £8.54/hour (currently) x 15 = £128.10
• Total you will be invoiced is: £15.30

Attendance at other Nurseries: Please note that if you are eligible for funding, you may claim the funding from several settings (up to the overall maximum of 15 hours per week). 

When you complete the Early Years form each term you are eligible, you will be required to list all providers (other than St Ives, if applicable) where your child is claiming funding and give details of the number of hours you are claiming per week.  We only claim for the hours your child is at St Ives.

How to claim: To claim, you will need to generate a code initially through the government’s childcare choices – you can apply for the code https://www.gov.uk/apply-free-childcare-if-youre-working  Once received, Please ensure the code is shared on the Early Years Claim Form that you will receive from the Nursery Manager termly.  St Ives will then claim the funding on your behalf and the remaining fees will be applied to your invoice.  Please note that, after having received your code, it is then necessary to renew your code every three months to continue to claim funding.  This is applicable even if you haven’t yet started to use your code to make a claim, e.g., if you receive your code before 1 June you will need to renew your code before it becomes valid in September. Please note that this is the parents’ responsibility.  If you are informed by HMRC that you are no longer eligible please let us know by emailing alex.viner@stiveshaslemere.com

*Eligibility Criteria for 2 year old funding

Firstly, you must meet the criteria, you can check here:

Check you're eligible for free childcare if you're working - GOV.UK

Eligibility rules for 15 hours funded childcare an overview:

• Your child must be aged 2
• Both parents must be working - or the sole parent is working in a lone parent family
• Each parent earns, on average, a weekly minimum equivalent to 16 hours at National Minimum wage or the National Living Wage
• Each parent must have an annual income of less than £100,000
• Parents on zero hour contracts or self-employed are eligible
• One or both parents may be on parental or maternity leave
• One or both parents are on statutory sick pay
• You must live in England 

What happens to the funding when my child turns 3 years old?  

From the term following your child’s 3rd birthday, 15 hours of Universal funding will be available, for which a code is not required.  To receive Early Years Funding, you will need to complete a claims form which will be given to you by the Nursery Manager.  The funded hours will be automatically deducted from your invoice.

The cut off dates for each term, as set out by the government’s Early Years funding entitlement programme, are: 

• If your child turns 3 years old between 1 September and 31 December, they will be eligible for 3 & 4 year old funding from the beginning of the Spring Term 
• If your child turns 3 years old between 1 January and 31 March, they will be eligible for 3 & 4 year old funding from the beginning of the Summer Term
• If your child turns 3 years old between 1 April and 31 August, they will be eligible for 3 & 4 year old funding from the beginning of the Autumn Term  

At St Ives you can apply the Government funded childcare hours to the following sessions:

• AM (8.30am – 12.00pm) - 3hrs
• AML (8.30 – 1.00pm) - 4hrs
• AD (8.30am – 3.00pm) - 6hrs

You can claim up to 15hrs each week. 

Please see below for examples:

If your child is 3 and attends 3 x AML sessions each week, the funding is applied in the following way:

• 3 x AML sessions = £143.40
• Less Early Years funding of £6.05/hour (currently) x 15 = 90.75
• Total you will be invoiced is: £52.65

Does this funding apply in Reception class if my child is still age 4?  

Yes, the funding continues up to and including the term your child turns 5. 

 
Please note St Ives does not participate in the 30 hours funding scheme.