Universal 15 hours Free Early Years Places for 3 & 4 Year Olds
All eligible 3 and 4 year olds are entitled to 15 hours of free early year’s provision per week for 38 weeks per year (570 hours per year). Please visit the R&C Information Directory to find out if your child is eligible for a place.
Free Childcare for 2 year olds
We have information and advice about free nursery education places for 2 year olds.
We process all applications which can be done by following this link to our PIN website 2YO FNE Online Applications or you can freephone 01642 444532 to discuss eligibility criteria or where to take/use the hours.
- 2 year old offer information for parents
- Apply for the 2 year old offer
- Visit the PIN website for a free, impartial childcare search.
30 hours for 3 and 4yo (extended 15 hours funded for working parents)
30 hours free childcare has launched for working parents of children aged 3 and 4 years old.
Parents must each expect to earn at least £152 a week (equal to 16 hours at the National Minimum or Living Wage for those aged over 22) with an earning cap of £100,000 per individual.
If you or your partner are on maternity, paternity, adoption leave or statutory sick pay, or you are unable to work because you are disabled or have substantial caring responsibilities, then you may still be eligible.
Parents need to apply and have their code validated before the end of each term to qualify for the following term.
The 30 hours entitlement can be split amongst providers (school nursery/childminder/day nursery) as long as no more than 2 providers are used each day.
Working Tax Credits
Parents and carers can also get help with childcare costs through the childcare element of working tax credits.
Please visit the gov.uk website for further information about tax credits and childcare.
Tax Free Childcare
You can get up to £500 every 3 months (up to £2,000 a year) for each of your children to help with the costs of childcare. This goes up to £1,000 every 3 months if a child is disabled (up to £4,000 a year).
If you get Tax-Free Childcare, you’ll set up an online childcare account for your child. For every £8 you pay into this account, the government will pay in £2 to use to pay your provider.
You can get Tax-Free Childcare at the same time as 30 hours free childcare if you’re eligible for both.
Please visit the gov.uk website for more information about Tax-Free Childcare.
Child Benefit
Claim Child Benefit as soon as your child is born or comes to live with you. Child Benefit can be backdated for up to 3 months - make your claim as soon as possible.