Government Funded Childcare at Little Discoverers Nursery

Little Discoverers Nursery is a term-time only nursery. We offer Government-funded childcare over 38 weeks of the year for eligible families.

We provide both 15-hour and 30-hour funded childcare places, subject to eligibility and availability.

15 Hours Funded Childcare

Eligible children can receive 15 hours of funded childcare per week for 38 weeks of the year.

This includes:

  • Eligible 2-year-olds from low-income families or families receiving certain benefits (disadvantaged 2-year-old funding), subject to Government eligibility criteria.
  • All 3 and 4-year-old children, who are entitled to 15 funded hours from the term after they become eligible.

30 Hours Funded Childcare (Working Parents)

Eligible working parents can receive 30 hours of funded childcare per week for 38 weeks of the year.

Parents must meet the Government’s working parent eligibility criteria and obtain a valid childcare code before funding can be claimed.

How to Apply

Working Parent Funding

To apply for working parent funding:

  1. Create or sign in to your Government Childcare Account.
  2. Check your eligibility.
  3. Apply for your childcare funding code.
  4. Provide your eligibility code, National Insurance number and your child’s date of birth to Little Discoverers Nursery before the relevant funding deadline.

Parents must reconfirm their eligibility every three months to continue receiving funded childcare.

Disadvantaged 2-Year-Old Funding (Non-Working/Low-Income Families)

If your child is 2 years old and your family receives certain benefits or has a low household income, you may be eligible for 15 hours of funded childcare.

You can:

  • Check your eligibility through your local authority or the Government childcare website.
  • Contact Little Discoverers Nursery and we will be happy to help you understand the eligibility criteria and support you with the application process.

Pattern of Funded Hours

As Little Discoverers Nursery operates term time only, funded childcare is available over 38 weeks of the year.

Children can access their funded entitlement as:

  • 15 funded hours per week for eligible children.
  • 30 funded hours per week for eligible working families.

Attendance patterns will be agreed with families based on their chosen sessions and nursery availability.

Charges and Voluntary Contributions

Little Discoverers Nursery does not charge any compulsory extras for children accessing their funded childcare entitlement.

There are no mandatory charges for meals, consumables, activities or resources in order for a child to take up their funded place.

We do, however, invite families to make a voluntary contribution of £1.00 per week towards healthy snacks provided during nursery sessions. This contribution is entirely optional, and choosing not to contribute will not affect your child’s funded place or the quality of care and education they receive.

Further Information

If you are unsure which childcare funding you may be entitled to, please contact the Little Discoverers Nursery team. We will be happy to explain the funding options available and support you with the application process.