I understand that childcare costs can be very expensive especially if you have more than one child needing childcare and it is a problem that many families are faced with, making it all the more challenging to try to juggle family and work life commitments.

It is important that you do some research and look around to see what all your options are and to find the best possible setting for you that meets your childcare requirements and your budget.

 

As you may be aware there have been recent changes in the Government Funding scheme, meaning that for eligible working families you could get 15 hours funding per week for children aged 9 months old as well as for children aged 2 years old to help towards meeting your childcare costs, although the Government refers to this as "Free Childcare" it is subsidised rather than free, so there may be extra costs to take into considerations plus the additional contracted hours that fall outside of what the funded hours covers.

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​Your child can get up to 15 hours funded childcare for 38 weeks of the year. 
Some childcare providers may allow you to use your funded hours over more weeks by using fewer hours each week this is referred to as 'stretched' I however don't offer this so your funded hours will be offered during term time only.

 

You could use your funded hours across a maximum of two different childcare providers or settings this is referred to 'shared care' however I prefer not to offer this due to various reasons.

Some providers may not offer funded childcare hours at all, or they may only be able to offer limited hours and limited times of the day that they are delivered. This could be due to available places or their opening times so you would need to discuss this at point of enquiry.

The funding does not cover the cost of additional services or items and your childcare provider may charge extra for these. These could be:

food and drinks
nappies and wipes
trips and outings
music or other classes etc

These are referred to as "consumable costs'
Even so, you must not be asked to pay a fee as a condition of taking up a 15 hours place, and must be offered alternative options such as choosing to provide your own child's lunch, for example.

 

Here at Aunty Helen's childminding service we have been offering funded places for eligible 2 year olds on a term time only basis since April 2024 and as of September 2024 this was extended to offer funded places for eligible children from 9 months old. From September 2025 the government are expanded this scheme to 30 hours per week funding to all eligible children from 9 months old therefore at my setting (subject to availability) you may be able to claim for up to 30 hours funding

for you child.

​Please read my funding policy by clicking on the button at the top of this page for further details of how I deliver funded places at my setting prior to enquiring a funded space for your child.