Funding FAQs

Just give us a call on 07443 490842 or email us at manager@missbnursery.co.uk, and we will arrange a day and time for you to come and look around the nursery. If, after your visit, you decide you want to place your child with us, you will be asked to complete an initial interest/waiting list form.

Once completed, the nursery manager will contact you and start arranging your booking. You will then be asked to complete a formal booking form and to sign our terms and conditions.

Yes, we are registered to receive the also known as 30 hours' entitlement (or 15 hours) funding, which is used for 38 weeks of the year. Since we are open 48 weeks a year (as we are closed 2 weeks over Christmas and the final two weeks of August), the remaining 10 weeks are charged at a discounted rate for our existing parents or at the private rate if childcare is only needed within these 10 weeks. More information can be found on our Fee Sheets.

Please discuss your needs with the nursery manager within two weeks of needing extra help. They will do their best to accommodate additional bookings, which will incur a non-funded charge.

The first hours of the week that the child attends are used as their funded hours. Once they have reached the number of hours of attendance that they are entitled to, then the full fee is payable for subsequent hours.

We can only accept funding for the 38 weeks (school term times). Since we are open 48 weeks a year (as we are closed 2 weeks over Christmas and the final two weeks of August), the remaining 10 weeks are charged at a discounted rate for our existing parents or at the private rate if childcare is only needed within these 10 weeks- more information can be found on our Fee Sheets.

Every funded child is entitled to 570 funded nursery hours a year. If you are able to claim extended funding for working parents (1140 hrs per year), equating to 30 hours a week, which is 6 hours per day. These hours are fully included in our session options.

Government funding does not cover the costs of any meals, snacks, or any of the additional activities we offer, or our other sessions. It simply covers basic mandatory childcare. We strive for better- greater convenience for parents and the enjoyment and well-being of the children in our care. Therefore, our fees are fully inclusive of all meals and consumables (excluding baby formula, if required, due to the extreme varying of preferences).

If you have booked a place and signed our terms and conditions, there is a 4-week notice of cancellation. Any notice given after this will be charged for 4 weeks, based on the weekly sessions you originally booked.

What you get:

• Up to 30 hours per week
• 38 weeks per year, 30 hours per week, 6 hours per day

Child must:

• Be aged 9 months to 4 years
• Live in England

Parent(s) must be working:

• Employed, self-employed, or starting a job
• Can include:
• Maternity/paternity leave
• Sick leave
• Adoption leave

Minimum earnings:

You (and your partner if applicable) must earn at least:

• About £195 per week (age 21+)
• Equivalent to 16 hours at minimum wage

Maximum earnings:

• Each parent must earn under £100,000 per year

If not working (exceptions):

You may still qualify if:

• Your partner works and you:
• Receive disability-related benefits
• Are a carer
• Have limited capability for work

Not eligible if:

• Either parent earns over £100,000
• You do not meet minimum earnings (unless exceptions apply)
• Immigration status restricts access (e.g. “no recourse to public funds” in most cases)

Check eligibility:

• https://www.gov.uk/check-eligible-free-childcare-if-youre-working

What you get:

• 15 hours per week

Child must:

• Be aged 3 or 4
• Live in England

Parent criteria:

• No requirements

You qualify regardless of:

• Income
• Employment status
• Benefits

This is the universal entitlement.

More info:

• https://www.gov.uk/free-early-education

Child must:

• Be 2 years old
• Meet at least one of the criteria below

Financial eligibility (parent-based)

You qualify if you receive:

• Universal Credit AND household income ≤ £15,400/year (after tax)
• Income Support
• Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
• Income-related Employment Support Allowance (ESA)
• Pension Credit (guaranteed element)
• Tax Credits below income threshold

Child-based eligibility

Your child qualifies if they:

• Have an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP)
• Receive Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
• Are looked after by the local authority
• Have left care (adoption, special guardianship, etc.)

Some families with immigration restrictions:

May still qualify if:

• Income is below set thresholds (varies by family size)

Check eligibility:

• https://www.gov.uk/help-with-childcare-costs/free-childcare-2-year-olds

Step 1: Apply online

https://www.gov.uk/apply-30-hours-free-childcare

Step 2: Get your code

• You’ll receive an eligibility code

Step 3: Give code to Miss B’s Nursery

• Confirms your funded place

Step 4: Reconfirm every 3 months

https://www.gov.uk/sign-in-childcare-account

We utilise the full 6 hours per day for you, as highlighted in our fee sheets.

Unfortunately, hours are allocated on a pro-rata basis throughout the year, maintaining a consistent weekly routine regardless of holidays or sickness.

Tax-Free Childcare

• Government pays £2 for every £8
• Up to £2,000/year per child

Details:

https://www.gov.uk/tax-free-childcare

Universal Credit Childcare Support

• Covers up to 85% of costs

Details:

https://www.gov.uk/help-with-childcare-costs/universal-credit

For every £8 deposited, the government contributes £2, turning an £800 contribution into £1,000 in childcare funds. The maximum you can earn from the scheme per year is £2000 per child of £4000 per child with a disability.

You can save 20% on your childcare fees by setting up a Tax-Free Childcare account. It takes about 20 minutes online. Once approved, just add our nursery, pay into your account, and use it to pay your invoices. Don’t forget to reconfirm every 3 months to keep the government top-up.

• You pay money into the account
• Government top-up is added automatically
• Then you then pay Miss B’s Nursery directly from the account

You ARE eligible if:

Work and income

• You (and your partner, if you have one) are working
• Each of you earns at least:
• £183 per week (approx. 16 hours at minimum wage)
• And less than £100,000 per year each

Your situation

• You live in the UK
• You have (or will set up) a Government Gateway account
• You are not receiving conflicting childcare support

If you’re self-employed

• You can still apply

Even if your income varies, you may still qualify

Special circumstances (you may still qualify)

You can still be eligible if:

• You are on maternity, paternity, or adoption leave
• You’re starting or returning to work soon

You are NOT eligible if:

Income rules

• You or your partner earn £100,000 or more per year
• You earn less than the minimum threshold (unless temporarily on leave)
• Receiving other childcare support

You cannot use Tax-Free Childcare at the same time as:

• Universal Credit (childcare element)
• Working Tax Credit / Child Tax Credit
• Childcare vouchers (salary sacrifice schemes)

Parents must choose one scheme only

Work status

• You (or your partner) are not working

Residency/status

• You do not live in the UK
• You do not meet immigration requirements for public funds

Important reminders for parents

• You must reconfirm your eligibility every 3 months
• Both partners must meet the rules (if applicable)
• You can apply even if your situation is about to change (e.g. starting a job)

Yes, if you are eligible for 15/30 hours of childcare funding, you can use this alongside Tax-Free Childcare.

But you can’t use this alongside Universal Credit or childcare vouchers

Tax-Free Childcare cannot be used in conjunction with childcare vouchers or Universal Credit.

Once you’ve applied online, you’ll pay 80% of your childcare fees into your Tax Free Childcare account. You will need to locate your nursery within the TFC account and set up a standing order for the funds to be sent directly to your nursery each month.

Step 1: Check if you’re eligible

Before you apply, check the rules for your child’s age, your work status, income, and immigration status. GOV.UK has a dedicated eligibility page here:

Check if you’re eligible for Tax-Free Childcare

West Sussex also signposts parents to GOV.UK for eligibility checks on its childcare funding page.

Step 2: Start your application

When you’re ready, use the official GOV.UK application page:

Apply for Tax-Free Childcare

GOV.UK says this is the service parents should use to apply, and for families in England it can also check eligibility for Free Childcare for Working Parents at the same time.

Step 3: Sign in or create your government login

As part of the application, you’ll be asked to sign in securely. If you do not already have sign-in details, the service will guide you to create them.

Sign in to your childcare account

Step 4: Complete the online form

Have your details ready before you begin, including your personal details, work and income information, and your child’s details. The GOV.UK application page is the correct place to enter all of this information.

Step 5: Add your childcare provider in your account

Once your account is open, sign in and add your childcare provider so you can send payments from your childcare account.

Sign in to your childcare account

Step 6: Pay money into your childcare account

West Sussex says parents can deposit money into their childcare account by debit card, standing order, or bank transfer, and the government top-up is added automatically.

You can use the funds when they show as available in your account.

Manage your childcare account

Step 7: Use the account to pay Miss B’s Nursery

GOV.UK says parents can use their childcare account to pay their childcare provider directly from the account.

Step 8: Reconfirm your details every 3 months

This is really important. GOV.UK says you must sign in and confirm your details are up to date every 3 months to continue receiving Tax-Free Childcare.

Sign in to reconfirm your details

Step 9: Get help if you’re stuck

If you need support with the application or your account, you can contact HMRC’s Childcare Service helpline here:

Childcare Service helpline

For local childcare information in West Sussex, you can also use the Family Information Service:

West Sussex Family Information Service

After applying, simply provide your Tax-Free Childcare reference number to us and we will link it to your child’s profile to match any payments received.

Yes, if you have more than one child, you will need to create a Tax Free Childcare account for each child.

Yes, you can use Universal Credit alongside the 15/30 hours childcare scheme, maximising your childcare support.

Separated parents should agree on who will apply for Universal Credit to support childcare costs. Only one application can be made per child.

Universal Credit can cover childcare for before and after school hours, from 8am to 6pm or later.

You can receive up to £950.92 per month for one child and £1,630.15 for two or more children.

You’ll initially cover your childcare fees, then report the costs to claim a reimbursement through Universal Credit. For assistance with upfront costs, explore the Flexible Support Fund.

Funding is available until the 31st August following your child’s 16th birthday, or 19th if they’re in education or training.

Please note that Universal Credit cannot be used in conjunction with Tax-Free Childcare.