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Childcare and Education for Children
Understanding Funding & Fees At Little Foxes
Did You Know?
Your child may be entitled to 15 or 30 free hours of childcare per week that we can stretch all year round.
What is government funded childcare?
Government funded childcare is financial support to help cover nursery fees, while giving your child the strongest possible start. From September 2025, eligible working parents of children aged nine months to school age can access up to 30 funded hours a week for 38 weeks of the year.
These hours are there to ease the cost of childcare and to make sure every child can benefit from high quality early education in a safe and nurturing setting.
At Little Foxes, we keep the process straightforward. We will guide you through claiming your funded hours so you can focus on what matters most, watching your little one grow, learn and explore.
Who can apply
You can apply if all of this applies to you:
You live in England.
Your child is older than 9 months.
You and your partner, if you have one, each earn at least £183 a week on average. That is the same as 16 hours at National Minimum Wage.
Neither of you has a net income over £100,000 a year.
Top tip 💡If you are on maternity, paternity or adoption leave, or you cannot work because you are disabled or a carer, you can still apply.
How to apply
Visit the government childcare portal.
Sign in or create an account (to create an account you will first need your Government Gateway user ID. If you’re a new user, you will need to register for one here).
Enter your details (you, your partner, your child).
Check you meet the criteria and click “Apply”.
Wait for your code by email.
Give your code to us – you can do this via email or at drop-off.
When to Apply?
You must have your code before the term starts, and the application deadline depends on when your child becomes eligible.
Here's how it works:
You can apply when your child is 23 weeks old, and the funded hours begin in the term after your child turns 9 months.
Application deadlines align with term start dates:
Apply by 31 August for childcare to begin from 1 September
Apply by 31 December to start 1 January
Apply by 31 March to begin 1 April
💡Top tip: Applying early - around 4 weeks before the deadline- can help you avoid delays in processing
Keep Your Code Active
To keep your funded hours running smoothly, you’ll need to reconfirm your details every three months in your GOV.UK childcare account.
It only takes a few minutes and means:
Your details stay up to date.
Your code stays valid.
You avoid any break in your government-funded hours.
We’ll remind you when it’s time, so you don’t have to worry about missing the deadline.
How do we calculate fees
Our fees are calculated on an annual basis so your monthly invoice is the same amount each month (excluding extra sessions)
We stretch funding 52 weeks per year
Benefits of the Stretched Model:
More flexibility for working families by reducing holiday childcare costs.
Smoother transitions for children with year-round care, promoting emotional security and consistent learning.
Eased financial pressure by spreading funded hours throughout the year, helping to reduce additional holiday care expenses.
To find out more information on each type of funding, as well as who is eligible, why not download our FREE Childcare Funding Choices PDF?
Please let us know if you believe you may be eligible for any form of funding or help with costs and we will be happy to assist you.
To find out more information about our Consumable Charges Click here:
What are the benefits of government funded childcare?
It eases the cost
Lower childcare fees mean more room in your monthly budget for the things that matter at home.
It supports your child’s development
Your child spends their days exploring, playing, listening to stories and building key skills like communication, confidence and early maths.
It gives you flexibility
Whether you are returning to work, increasing your hours or studying, funded childcare makes it easier to plan your week with less pressure.
It builds social skills
Time with other children helps them learn to share, take turns, solve small conflicts and form friendships.
It lays strong foundations
High quality early education helps prepare your child for school and gives them a solid start.
It shows that learning matters
When children see the adults around them working towards goals, it shapes how they think about effort, education and their own future.
Can I Bring My Own Items?
Yes if youd like to apply to bring all your own items just email us
foxhouse@replies.littlefoxeschildcare.co.uk
When does 30 hours per week funded childcare start?
The 30 hours entitlement begins from September 2025. To secure your place, you’ll need to apply and have your code ready before the start of the term your child is due to join (for example, by 31 August for a September start).
Can I combine Tax-Free Childcare with my 30 funded hours?
Yes, you can. The 30-hour entitlement is separate from the Tax‑Free Childcare scheme, which means you can use both simultaneously to reduce your costs.
Can I spread the funded childcare hours over the year?
At Little Foxes, we know most working parents want something more consistent. Instead of using the hours across term time only, we can spread them over 52 weeks. This works out at roughly 21.9 hours a week all year.
That means your child keeps the same routine throughout the year.
It also gives you a steady, predictable monthly payment rather than higher bills in the holidays.
Many nurseries offer this option and we are happy to set it up if it suits your family.
How can I check if I’m eligible for funded childcare?
For information go to www.beststartinlife.gov.uk
How do I find funded childcare near me?
All our nurseries accept funded childcare places, subject to eligibility. Find your nearest Little Foxes Nursery
Can I split my funded hours between two different childcare providers?
Yes - you can split your funded hours across different providers. Typically, you're allowed to use up to two different sites in one day, or up to three providers in a week, as long as no provider exceeds your total entitlement.
Can I use my funded hours for wraparound care, like breakfast or after-school clubs?
Yes, in many cases you can. Some providers allow you to use your funded hours more flexibly, including for wraparound services like breakfast or after-school clubs. At Little Foxes, you can also use funded hours towards holiday clubs and wraparound care at settings that offer these options.
What if only one parent works?
That’s fine too - the non-working parent can still be eligible if they are on Statutory Leave (like maternity or adoption), sick/annual leave, or receiving qualifying support like Carer’s Allowance.
What if I lose my job or my income changes – will I lose the funding straight away?
No, you don’t lose it overnight. There’s a grace period that lets you keep your funded hours for a while, giving you time to get back on your feet. And if your situation changes long-term, you’ll usually still be able to access the 15 universal hours once your child is 3 or 4.
What if my child needs extra support or has SEND - can they still get funded childcare?
Yes! Children with extra needs, including those with an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) or receiving Disability Living Allowance, still qualify for funded childcare. In many cases, they may be entitled to 30 hours per week, combining both working-family eligibility and additional support schemes.
Where can I read more about the funded childcare I am entitled to?
You can find full details and apply for government-funded childcare through the Best Start in Life (formally Childcare Choices) website.
If you’d like help understanding what you’re entitled to, our Nursery Managers are always happy to chat through your options and explain how funded places work at Little Foxes.
What happens when I get my code?
Your code will be 11 digits long. Once you receive this please give the code to the nursery, along with your child's name, date of birth and the parents' National Insurance numbers. Nearer to the start of the term you will receive a parent declaration form from Funding Loop which you will be required to complete.
What is reconfirmation and when do I do this?
If you receive Working Family Funding (30 hours), you must reconfirm your eligibility every 3 months via your Childcare account. You’ll receive a reminder from HMRC when this is due. We recommend completing this as soon as possible after the reminder. If you do not reconfirm, your code may lapse, you may fall out of eligibility, and funding will be stopped.
If I receive benefits does this affect my eligibility?
Not necessarily, you may still be entitled to Working Family Funding (30 hours), if you meet the criteria. If you do not qualify for Working Family Funding, you may qualify for 2 year old funding (15 hours).
What are consumables / what is included?
Government funding covers your child’s early education hours. It does not include extras such as meals, nappies, wipes or additional services.
We’re very happy to provide these for your child while they are with us, so everything is convenient and ready for their day — we simply apply a small additional charge to cover these costs.
Can settings charge for consumables?
Yes, government funding is not intended to cover the cost of consumables. At Little Foxes all charges are clearly itemised on your invoice, and these charges are optional; parents can provide their own nappies/packed lunch if preferred.
Can I provide my own consumables?
Yes, you are more than welcome to provide your own consumables. The admin team can provide more details about this.
Can settings charge a top-up fee?
No, top-up fees are not charged for the funded hours.
Can a single parent get working family funding?
Yes, single parents can still apply for Working Family Funding, as long as they meet the eligibility criteria.
We’re Here to Help!
We understand that this can be confusing, but we promise to be upfront about all costs, so you can make the best decision for your family. If you ever have any questions, we’re happy to guide you through the process.
To get more details please fill out your details
