You may still be eligible if your partner is working, or if you’re receiving maternity pay and planning to return to work. Apply and check your eligibility at childcarechoices.gov.uk. 

The introduction of the 30 hours funded childcare scheme is a game-changer for working families and nurseries alike. Expanding the existing 15 hours of funded childcare provides working families with more than just substantial savings—it creates opportunities to increase household income. With reduced childcare costs, parents can work additional hours, easing financial pressures and enhancing their quality of life.

Absolutely. Most of our families use a combination of funded and paid hours. We’ll tailor your sessions to suit your needs and apply funding accordingly. 

No – unfortunately, funded hours cannot be carried forward. But we do stretch the entitlement across the year to support consistency for families. 

Yes! You must reconfirm your eligibility every 3 months through your HMRC Childcare Account. Set a reminder so you don’t lose your funded hours. 

We offer funded places for eligible families; however, government funding does not cover the cost of the all-inclusive package we provide at Monkey Puzzle. Additional charges apply for meals, consumables (such as nappies, wipes, and sunscreen), trips, and any extra hours beyond the funded entitlement. 

You may hear the Government funding initiatives being called “free childcare” or “funded childcare” and used interchangeably. Both refer to government-supported early education and childcare programs, which entitle all 3-5 year olds to the universal 15-hours funding offering. This is set to be extended to the 30-hour scheme for working parents of all eligible children aged 9 months and above by September 2025.

30 hours = for working parents who meet the eligibility criteria (from 9months old onwards). 

When stretched over 51 weeks, this equates to approximately 22 hours per week.

Tax-Free Childcare and the 30 Hours Funded Childcare schemes are separate government initiatives, but they can be used together to help families manage childcare costs more effectively.

Tax-Free Childcare offers valuable support for working parents by covering 20% of childcare costs through government contributions. Families can receive up to £2,000 per child annually, or £4,000 per year for children with disabilities, providing much-needed relief from the financial pressures of childcare. Meanwhile, the 30 Hours Free Childcare scheme offers a set number of ‘free’ childcare hours, giving parents additional relief.

By combining these two schemes, families can maximise their savings while ensuring access to quality childcare.

See if you’re eligible for tax free childcare.

You’ll need to add your younger child to your HMRC account and apply for a new code for them separately. 

This form gives us permission to claim funding on your behalf from the local authority. Without it, we can’t process your claim. Late submissions could result in missed funding. 

You can begin accessing your entitlements from the term following your child’s eligibility based on age. For the working parent entitlement, this becomes available once your child reaches 9 months of age from September 2025.