FUNDING AT MAGDALEN
The UK government offers various funded childcare schemes to help families with early years education costs.
These schemes provide significant financial relief, requiring attention to eligibility, application, and ongoing requirements.
Understanding each stage helps maximize support and meet obligations. From visiting the official childcare choices website to maintaining eligibility, each step is crucial.
The process involves choosing attendance patterns, understanding funded hours, and collaborating with your childcare provider.
Eligible working parents of children aged 9 months up to 4 years can access up to 30 hours of funded childcare per week for 38 weeks of the year. This provides valuable support towards nursery education and offers better value for families.
Although funding is received over 38 weeks, we spread this across the 51 weeks that we are open. This approach offers greater flexibility and allows us to provide a consistent monthly fee, which parents have told us they prefer.
30 HOURS FUNDED CHILDCARE
FROM 9 MONTHS UP TO 4 YEARS
30 HOURS FUNDED CHILDCARE
FROM 9 MONTHS UP TO 4 YEARS
KEY DETAILS TO MAXIMISE FUNDING
Annual Allocation
1,140 hours yearly, stretched over 51 weeks (approx. 22.35 hours weekly).
Daily Structure
Can be split over a minimum of 3 full days (8am-6pm); 7.45 funded hours per day, 2.55 hours parent-paid.
Monthly Distribution
Equates to 95 hours (Sept 1st start), 90 hours (Jan 1st start), or 72 hours (Apr1st start) in Sutton and 78 hours (Apr1st start) in London
Funding Scope
Government funding covers teaching time only and not meals, consumables or activities or those hours not covered by funding.
Inclusive Packages
All meals and enhancements in one package with the funded and non-funded hours incorporated into an all in one package.
Stretched Funding Explained
Weekly funded hours (51 weeks stretched)
Autumn term starters: 11.18 hrs/week (15hr) or 22.35 hrs/week (30hr)
Spring term starters: 10.28 hrs/week (15hr) or 20.56 hrs/week (30hr)
Summer term starters: 8.18 hrs/week (15hr) or 16.36 hrs/week (30hr)
Note:
For 2-year Gov. Supported & 3-year Universal Funding, only food is charged for ALL IN sessions.
Funded Only sessions are NIL COST with limited day availability.
Days allocated by nursery, with Mondays/Fridays prioritised for funded-only.
Note:
For 2-year Gov. Supported & 3-year Universal Funding, only food is charged for ALL IN sessions.
Funded Only sessions are NIL COST
with limited day availability.
Days allocated by nursery, with Mondays/Fridays prioritised for funded-only.
How do I apply for my 30 hours free childcare?
If you think you are eligible for 30 hours free childcare then you need to check your eligibility with HMRC. It is the same application process as for the Tax free Childcare Accounts, although you do not have to have those as well if it does not suit you financially, so just tick the boxes that you wish to use. You can find out more about what is best for your family via the government website www.besstartinlife.co.uk. Once you have received your 30 hour eligibility code then you need to bring it along to get it verified. You cannot access your childcare until we have had the code verified by the local authority. The process can take 2-3 weeks so do this at least a month before the start of the term. These time frames are set by the government and if you do not register for your hours before the start of term then we may not be able to claim those for you for that term.
Eligibility rules for 30 hours free childcare
Your child must be eligible in the term before the funding can be applied.
Both parents must be working – or the sole parent is working in a lone parent family
Each parent earns, on average, a weekly minimum equivalent to 16 hours
at the National Minimum Wage or National Living Wage for their age
Each parent must have an annual income of less than £100,000
You must live in England
Whilst the scheme is for working parents, you might still be eligible if one of you is an official carer.
You might still be eligible if you are receiving disability benefits and the other one is working.
There may also be other eligibility criteria announced. If you have a Zero hours contract and earn
the equivalent of 16 hours at your minimum wage then you are eligible. If you are self-employed and earn
the equivalent of 16 hours at your minimum wage then you are eligible.
What if I lose my job?
If you lose your job and don’t obtain another they you will become ineligible for the working families entitlement funding.
However, there will be a short ‘grace period’ in the 30 hours free childcare, which will take you to the end of any term. This allows parents time to find a new job and still use their eligible hours whilst doing so. If you are unsuccessful then your entitlement will either be lost if your child is under 3 or it may revert to the universal 15 hours free childcare, which is available for all children in the term after they turn 3
FUNDING PROCESS
Eligibility rules for
30 hours free childcare
Your child must be eligible in the term before the funding can be applied.
Both parents must be working – or the sole parent is working in a lone parent family
Each parent earns, on average, a weekly minimum equivalent to 16 hours
at the National Minimum Wage or National Living Wage for their ageEach parent must have an annual income of less than £100,000
You must live in England
Whilst the scheme is for working parents, you might still be eligible if one of you is an official carer. You might still be eligible if you are receiving disability benefits and the other one is working.
There may also be other eligibility criteria announced. If you have a Zero hours contract and earn the equivalent of 16 hours at your minimum wage then you are eligible. If you are self-employed and earn the equivalent of 16 hours at your minimum wage then you are eligible.
How do I apply for my
30 hours free childcare?
If you think you are eligible for 30 hours free childcare then you need to check your eligibility with HMRC.
It is the same application process as for the Tax free Childcare Accounts, although you do not have to have those as well if it does not suit you financially, so just tick the boxes that you wish to use.
You can find out more about what is best for your family via the government website www.besstartinlife.co.uk.
Once you have received your 30 hour eligibility code then you need to bring it along to get it verified. You cannot access your childcare until we have had the code verified by the local authority.
The process can take 2-3 weeks so do this at least a month before the start of the term. These time frames are set by the government and if you do not register for your hours before the start of term then we may not be able to claim those for you for that term.
How do I apply for my 30 hours free childcare?
If you think you are eligible for 30 hours free childcare then you need to check your eligibility with HMRC. It is the same application process as for the Tax free Childcare Accounts, although you do not have to have those as well if it does not suit you financially, so just tick the boxes that you wish to use.
You can find out more about what is best for your family via the government website www.besstartinlife.co.uk.
Once you have received your 30 hour eligibility code then you need to bring it along to get it verified. You cannot access your childcare until we have had the code verified by the local authority. The process can take 2-3 weeks so do this at least a month before the start of the term. These time frames are set by the government and if you do not register for your hours before the start of term then we may not be able to claim those for you for that term.
What if I lose my job?
If you lose your job and don’t obtain another they you will become ineligible for the working families entitlement funding. However, there will be a short ‘grace period’ in the 30 hours free childcare, which will take you to the end of any term.
This allows parents time to find a new job and still use their eligible hours whilst doing so. If you are unsuccessful then your entitlement will either be lost if your child is under 3 or it may revert to the universal 15 hours free childcare, which is available for all children in the term after they turn 3
Check Eligibility: Get code at https://beststartinlife.gov.uk/
Choose Pattern: Funded-only, funded+, or enhanced
Stretch Funding: Over 51 weeks,
10 hrs/day
Sign Agreement: Confirm sessions, charges, terms
When Does Funding Start?
Funding start dates are based on your child's birthday, as outlined below:
| Birthday Range | Funding Starts |
|---|---|
| 1st January – 31st March | Term starting 1st April |
| 1st April – 31st August | Term starting 1st September |
| 1st September – 31st December | Term starting 1st January |
Stretch Funding: Over 51 weeks, 10 hrs/day
Children accessing funding from 9 months old must be 9 months old in the term prior to their start date.
Eligibility rules for 30 hours free childcare
Your child must be eligible in the term before the funding can be applied.
Both parents must be working – or the sole parent is working in a lone parent family
Each parent earns, on average, a weekly minimum equivalent to 16 hours
at the National Minimum Wage or National Living Wage for their age
Each parent must have an annual income of less than £100,000
You must live in England
Whilst the scheme is for working parents, you might still be eligible if one of you is an official carer.
You might still be eligible if you are receiving disability benefits and the other one is working.
There may also be other eligibility criteria announced. If you have a Zero hours contract and earn
the equivalent of 16 hours at your minimum wage then you are eligible. If you are self-employed and earn
the equivalent of 16 hours at your minimum wage then you are eligible.
30 hours free childcare – our choices for parents
We have consulted with our parents over which are the most suitable hours for us to provide the free hours and have constructed our Nursery Fees and Sessions around this for each individual nursery. We offer fully funded places where you can choose to opt out of our fully enhanced services, this is all detailed in our Funding Policy, Provision of Food Policy, Consumables & Activities Policy and our Admissions & Waiting List Policy
Full information on our policies and fees can be found here
If you are unsure about anything then please just come along and ask
FUNDING MENU
30 hours free childcare -
our choices for parents
We have consulted with our parents over which are the most suitable hours for us to provide the free hours and have constructed our Nursery Fees and Sessions around this for each individual nursery.
We offer fully funded places where you can choose to opt out of our fully enhanced services, this is all detailed in our Funding Policy, Provision of Food Policy, Consumables & Activities Policy and our Admissions & Waiting List Policy
Full information on our policies and fees can be found here
If you are unsure about anything then please just come along and ask
-
For 15-hour funding entitlement
Includes meals, consumables, activities, and additional hours
Available 2-5 days/week
Pricing varies by child's age & term start
-
For 30-hour funding entitlement
Includes meals, consumables, activities, and additional hours
Available 3-5 days/week (3-day minimum)
Pricing varies by child's age & term start
-
Tailor childcare to your budget.
Access funded hours for free, enhanced activities (dance, music, storytelling), nutritious meals (breakfast, lunch, tea, snacks) and consumables (nappies, wipes, sun cream), paying only for what you choose.
-
ALL IN option: Includes food, consumables & activities (small weekly charge)
FUNDED ONLY option: Completely free (NIL COST) with limited day availability
Available for both 15 & 30-hour entitlements
Discuss your funding options with our finance team for clarity on each package,
cost implications, and guidance to the best fit for your family.
Government funding covers childcare hours only.
It does not include meals, essential items, or Magdalen Nursery's enhanced activities.
Understanding these additional charges helps you plan your childcare budget.
These items are £0 in our All-Inclusive package. If you choose the Options Menu, these charges apply daily.
Magdalen Nursery may make exceptions to these charges. Our full policy is available on request.
Costs and Charges
Government funding covers childcare hours only. It does not include meals, essential items, or Magdalen Nursery's enhanced activities.
Understanding these additional charges helps you plan your childcare budget.
These items are £0 in our All-Inclusive package.
If you choose the Options Menu, these charges apply daily.
Meals & Refreshments
£15/day
Includes healthy breakfast, lunch, tea, snacks, and drinks.
Nursery Essentials
£5/day
Covers nappies, wipes, sun cream, and other daily consumables.
Enhanced Activities
£5/day
Access to specialist-led dance, music, storytelling (Debutots), and other enriching experiences.
Magdalen Nursery may make
exceptions to these charges.
Our full policy is available on request.
FEE SCHEDULES, PAYMENT INFORMATION
& FUNDING POLICES
Standard Monthly Fees (2025-26)
-
2 days £1,014.35
3 days £1,370.85
4 days £1,722.76
5 days £2,039.70
-
2 days £1,201.20
3 days £1,620.45
4 days £2,039.79
5 days £2,402.40
-
2 days £1,201.20
3 days £1,620.45
4 days £2,039.79
5 days £2,402.40
-
2 days £1,201.20
3 days £1,620.45
4 days £2,039.79
5 days £2,402.40
Detailed information on fees and policies
for our London and Sutton nurseries
Detailed information on
fees and policies for our
London and Sutton nurseries
Additional Charges
London Nurseries Early Drop Off (7:30-8:00am): £10.00
Late Pick up (6:00-6:30pm): £15.00 per 15 mins
Ad Hoc Days:
£80 per day - Sutton
£90 per day - London
Discounts Available
Sibling: 10%
NHS: 10%
Note: Fees are calculated annually and divided by 12 for monthly payments.
Note: Fees are calculated annually and
divided by 12 for monthly payments.
Call our experienced and helpful Finance team on 0208 642 4662
or email accounts@magdalennursery.com for any additional help you may need.