Affordable Childcare

Childcare costs

Private nursery fees are a significant part of household expenditure and we understand that you need to plan, budget and fully understand the charges associated with nursery fees, both private and funded.

The nursery fee schedules outline the nursery fees for different ages, the times the nursery is open and what is included in the costs. To find out more please message using the get in touch button.

What is Early Education Entitlement Funding ?

Universal Early Education Entitlement Funding is Government funding to cover the cost for up to 570 hours per year/15 hours a week of childcare during term time (38 weeks a year). This is available for all three and four year old children in England.

What is Extended Early Education Entitlement Funding ?

Eligible parents can claim further Government funding in addition to the Universal FE Funding. Extended FE Funding covers an additional 570 hours per year/15 hours a week of childcare during term time (38 weeks a year). This equates to 1140 hours per year / 30 hours per week. Again, this is available for all three and four year old children in England. Extended Free Entitlement also offers 15 hours a week for eligible families for children aged 9 months plus.

You may be eligible to claim Extended FE Funding if:

• Both parents are working (or the sole parent is working in a single-parent family)
• Each parent earns a weekly minimum equivalent to 16 hours at national minimum wage, and less than £100,000 per year
• This includes parents who are employed and self-employed
  

What does government funding include and what does it not include ?

Government funding is intended to pay for 15 or 30 hours a week of childcare in line with the statutory requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). The 15 or 30 hours funding does not include:

• Meals ,snacks and drinks
• Consumables such as toiletries and sun cream, to keep your child clean , comfortable and protected.
• Additional hours which exceed the funded hours
• Itemised enrichment charges
• Administration of the funding including systems such as signable to support parents which forms and policies
• Access to our family apps including Q Bell, Tapestry
• All those little itemised extras that make New Beginnings an Outstanding provider

Working family entitlement funding - 9 month old plus funding

Currently up to 15 hours oer week for 38 weeks of the year (570hours )

In September 2025, the 15 hours for working parents of children under 3 will expand to 30 hours, meaning eligible working parents will be able to claim 30 hours of childcare all the way through from the term after their child turns 9 months to school age.

2 year old funding

Parents of 2-year-olds who are already receiving some additional forms of support may be eligible for 15 hours early learning for their child.

This is separate to the 15 and 30 hours for working parents. Speak to your local council about free childcare places for eligible 2-year-olds. You should be able to find advice online on your local authority’s website.

3 year old Universal funding

15 hours per week over 38 weeks of the year. Can be combined with the working parents entitlement to make up 30 hours.

Government funding website

Changes to childcare support mean you might now be eligible for more help than ever before.



Support from Childcare Choices can give your child a great start while giving you work choices, helping you make the juggle of family life a little easier.

Childcare Support is Expanding

Working parents of children aged 9 months to up to 3 years can now get 15 hours per week for 38 weeks a year, increasing to 30 hours from September 2025.

Childcare support can give your child a good start whilst giving you work choices, helping you juggle family life a little easier. In addition to the new support for working parents of children aged 9 months to 3 years, eligible working parents with children aged 3 and 4 can get 30 hours of childcare per week.

Other offers available for eligible parents include Tax-Free Childcare and Universal Credit Childcare. Some parents receiving support like Universal Credit or whose child has an Education, Health and Care (EHC) plan can also access 15 hours for their 2-year-old. You might be able to use more than one form of support together to help with your childcare costs. 

For more information visit the Childcare Choices website: www.childcarechoices.gov.uk

Tax Free Childcare

Tax-Free Childcare is a UK government initiative designed to help working parents with the cost of childcare.

For every 80p you (or someone else) pays in, the government will top up an extra 20p.

Childcare Vouchers

If you joined either one of these schemes on or before 4 October 2018, you're still able to receive these vouchers and use them to support your childcare payments with us.



Universal Credit

For working families claiming Universal Credit with children under 17. Claim back up to 85% of eligible childcare costs.