To be able to offer any form of tax free childcare all providers register with the Government and are approved by them.  To offer funded childcare, all providers register with their local authority and follow strict criteria.  I am registered with both the government and Surrey County Council and follow Surrey County Council's criteria to offer funded childcare which is detailed below.

All funded childcare detailed below is only available during term time over 38 weeks of the year as directed by government legislation.  Any childcare taken out of term time (e.g. during half terms and school holidays) is charged at my normal hourly rate.

Funded Early Education for Two Year Olds (FEET)

FEET funding is for 2 year olds of families in receipt of specific benefits or those who meet one of the additional criteria which can be found here Funded early education for two year olds (FEET) - Surrey County Council

Working Parent Childcare for 9 months to 4 year olds

If you live and work in England, you MAY be entitled to up to 30 hours of funded childcare support from the term after your child turns 9 months old until they start school.  Eligibility criteria for families can be found here best start in life and here Check you're eligible for free childcare if you're working - GOV.UK.  Please note that the 2nd link takes you to a government page which calls the funding free, but it is not free at my setting, it is funded and I add extra charges on a monthly basis.

Extra voluntary contributions

Providers receive a set hourly rate for 9 month olds reduces the term after the child turns 2 and it reduces again the term after the child turns 3.  Unfortunately, I cannot provide my current high quality of care for the hourly amount that I receive for children from 2 years old so I charge an additional voluntary cost per month to cover food, outings and incidentals (which could be treats when we are out or toys bought for the children at the charity shop or on farm visits etc).

My voluntary contributions usually include:

nappies @13p each

breakfast and morning snack @£4

lunch and afternoon snack @£4.50

dinner with pudding £5.00

incidentals (outings, nappy rash cream, baby wipes, hygiene supplies, sun cream, charity shop buys, trips out or anything else I may buy for the children when we are out) £20 per month

toddler groups £2.50 each

These voluntary contributions are only charged during funded weeks.  During half terms and school holidays I charge my usual hourly rate and do not attach any voluntary contributions.  This is because I have worked out my hourly rate to be inclusive of everything necessary to give children a very high quality, enjoyable, educational and safe experience at my setting.  Providers are required to call these extra costs 'voluntary' in line with government guidance and if you would prefer to supply your own meals, nappies, nappy cream, wipes, nappy bags, money for toddler groups and other outings/incidentals we can discuss this further.  I don't encourage families to provide their own as it is better for everyone if the children are all eating the same.  I would also need to regulate and inspect meals sent in from home, making sure other children won't be affected by airborne allergens and that meals are in line with DfE healthy eating guidance.  It is also easier to store nappies, bags and wipes together instead of having separate supplies for each child.  Currently none off my existing families bring their own supplies.

To see if you are eligible to claim Government funding for early years childcare please check here

Universal Funded Early Education for 3 and 4 year olds

Every family in England is entitled to claim 15 hours of funded early years childcare the term after their child turns 3.  This is called Universal Entitlement.

Working Parent Funded childcare for 3 and 4 year olds

Some families are also able to claim an extra 15 hours of funded early years childcare the term after their child turns 3.  This is called Working Parent Entitlement.  Families will need to apply for a code that I can use to access this funding.

NO MORE THAN 30 HOURS OF FUNDING CAN BE CLAIMED FOR ANY SINGLE CHILD.

Extra hours

Families who are claiming any of the above funded childcare may wish to take extra hours at my setting for their child and these extra hours will be charged at my normal hourly rate which can be found here Charges & Fees

Tax Free Childcare

Some families are able to register for tax free childcare and I accept childcare vouchers via the government tax free childcare scheme.  Families register with the government, put money into an account which is topped up by 20% (up to £2000 per child per year) by the government and then the family makes payments to the childcare provider from this account.

Families can use Tax Free childcare at the same time as using FEET, Universal Entitlement and Working Parent Entitlement.

There is more information on getting help with the cost of childcare here