Home / Fees & funding
For parentsFunded childcare,
explained simply
Government funded childcare hours are available at all four of our settings. Our team will check exactly what you are entitled to, free of charge.
Funded childcare at a glance
Last updated September 2026- Every 3- and 4-year-old
- 15 hours a week, whatever you earn.
- Working parents, 9 months to school age
- Up to 30 hours a week, if each parent earns at least the equivalent of 16 hours a week at the National Minimum or Living Wage and under £100,000 a year.
- 2-year-olds getting extra support
- 15 hours a week, applied for through your council.
- How many weeks
- 38 weeks a year, the same as school term time.
- When to apply
- From 23 weeks old. To start in September, January or April, apply by 31 August, 31 December or 31 March, and reconfirm your code every 3 months.
Funded hours start the term after your child reaches the qualifying age. See the full table or call 01254 800110 and we’ll check what you can get.
Ways to lower the cost
Most families qualify for at least one of these, and they can be combined.
15 funded hours
For all 3 and 4 year-olds, and for eligible younger children.
30 funded hours
For working families meeting the income criteria.
Tax-free childcare
The government tops up what you pay into your childcare account.
Employer schemes
We accept major childcare voucher and salary-sacrifice schemes.
Eligibility rules and funded-hour entitlements are set by the government and change from time to time. Check the current rules at childcarechoices.gov.uk, or call us and we will walk you through it.
How many free hours can you get?
Funded childcare in England depends on your child’s age and whether you work. Funding starts the term after your child reaches the qualifying age, and you can use it at any of our nurseries in Blackburn, Accrington and Haslingden.
Last reviewed against GOV.UK guidance.
| Your child’s age | Funded hours | Who can get it |
|---|---|---|
| 9 months to 2 years | Up to 30 hours a week | Eligible working parents |
| 2 years | 15 hours a week | Families receiving certain support, such as Universal Credit (apply through your local council) |
| 2 years | Up to 30 hours a week | Eligible working parents |
| 3 and 4 years | 15 hours a week | Every child, whatever your income or work |
| 3 and 4 years | Up to 30 hours a week | Eligible working parents (15 extra hours) |
Hours are funded for 38 weeks a year, the same as school term time, which fits our term dates. Tax-Free Childcare can add up to £500 every three months per child (up to £2,000 a year, or £4,000 for a disabled child) towards fees not covered by funding.
Claiming funding, made easy
Check what you’re entitled to
Tell us your child’s age and your working situation, and we will do the rest.
We apply it to your place
We handle the paperwork with the local authority and set up your funded hours.
Pay only the balance
You get one clear invoice showing exactly what funding has covered.
Funded childcare questions
What is funded childcare?
Funded childcare is nursery time paid for by the government. Depending on your child’s age and your circumstances, you can get 15 or 30 funded hours a week at a registered nursery like ours.
Who can get 30 hours free childcare?
Working parents in England with a child aged from 9 months until they start school, if each parent (and their partner) earns at least the equivalent of 16 hours a week at the National Minimum or Living Wage and under £100,000 a year. Check your eligibility on GOV.UK.
Can I get 15 hours free childcare for my 2 year old?
Yes, if your family receives certain support, such as Universal Credit within the income limit. You apply through your local council. Eligible working parents of 2-year-olds can get up to 30 hours instead.
When should I apply for funded childcare?
You can apply for working-parent funding from when your child is 23 weeks old. Apply early, as funding starts the term after your child reaches the qualifying age and your code is approved.
Do all your nurseries offer funded places?
Yes. Funded places are available at all four of our nurseries: Beacon Lights and Tadis House in Blackburn, Meadowbrook in Accrington and Hazelwood in Haslingden.
What will I actually pay?
Fees depend on the setting, your child’s age and the sessions you need, and on how much funding you qualify for. Call us on 01254 800110 and we will give you an exact figure for your circumstances.
When can I start claiming free hours?
Funding usually begins the term after your child reaches the qualifying age. We will confirm the exact start date when you register.
Can I combine funding with tax-free childcare?
Yes. You can use your funded hours and pay the remaining balance through tax-free childcare or employer vouchers.
What happens in the school holidays?
Our nurseries follow term dates, so we close for the school holidays and your funded hours are used during term time. Each nursery’s dates are on our Term times page.
Can I use 30 funded hours at a term-time nursery?
Yes. Funded hours are given for 38 weeks a year, the same as the school year, so they fit a term-time nursery: you use your full funded hours in the weeks we’re open. See our term dates.
When is the deadline to apply for 30 hours?
Apply by 31 August to start in September, by 31 December to start in January, or by 31 March to start in April. You can apply from when your child is 23 weeks old, and you must reconfirm your code every 3 months.
How much does nursery cost with funded hours?
Fees depend on your child’s age, the sessions you need and how much funding you qualify for. Funded hours reduce what you pay, and Tax-Free Childcare adds £2 for every £8 you pay towards the rest. We give every family an exact figure: call 01254 800110.
Not sure what you’ll pay?
Call our team and we will work it out with you, including every scheme you are entitled to.