Funding
We offer high quality childcare at the most competitive and affordable rates. We do this through the Government’s funded childcare schemes for all 3- and 4-year-olds. Some eligible 2-year-olds can access 15 hours a week funding if you are a working parent but also if you are entitled to certain benefits. Please click the blue button below which will take you to the childcare choices website to check your eligibility.
Bright Swans Day Nursery are offering the Government funded hours for working parents at both settings for children aged 9 months-2 years if eligible and for all 3- and 4-year-olds.
For any further information please click on the blue button below to access the governments childcare choices website.
Eligibility
You may be eligible for free Early Years education.
The Government now offers funding from 9 months – 4 years old
If your child is eligible, you can start claiming from the term after they turn 9 months old, 2 years old or 3 years old. The date you can claim will depend on when their birthday is. On the table below it shows the funding term dates. You must acquire your funding code before the later date of each term listed:
| Child’s birthday | When you can claim |
|---|---|
| 1st January – 31st March | The beginning of term on or after 1st April |
| 1st April – 31st August | The beginning of term on or after 1st September |
| 1st September – 31st December | The beginning of term on or after 1st January |
Working parents
If you live and work in England you may be entitled to 30 hours funded childcare support from the term after your child turns 9 months old, until they start school.
You can usually get funded childcare for working parents if you and your partner are:
- in work or starting a new job
- on sick leave or annual leave
- on shared parental, maternity, paternity or adoption leave
The amount of funded childcare you can get depends on:
- your child’s age and circumstances
- your income)
- your immigration status
If you are not eligible for the working parent offer you will still receive the 15 hour entitlement for all 3 and 4 year olds from the term after your child turns 3 until they start school, irrespective of your income level, benefit status, or family circumstances.
If you or your child receive some additional forms of support, you may be eligible for 15 hours early learning for 2 year olds under a separate scheme and you should speak to your local council and/or provider in the first instance. If you are eligible, you should still apply for the working parent entitlement, but you will receive 15 hours from each scheme (up to a maximum of 30 hours in total).
Your earnings
Over the next 3 months you and your partner must each expect to earn at least:
- £2,539 before tax if you’re aged 21 or over (equivalent to £195 per week)
- £2,080 before tax if you’re aged 18 to 20 (equivalent to £160 per week)
- £1,570 before tax if you’re under 18 or an apprentice (equivalent to £120 per week)
This is equivalent to the National Minimum Wage or Living Wage for 16 hours a week, on average.
15 Hours Childcare for families receiving some additional forms of government support
To qualify for this funding for your 2-year-old, you must receive one of the following:
- Income Support
- Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
- Support through part 6 of the Immigration and Asylum Act
- The guaranteed element of State Pension Credit
- The Working Tax Credit four-week run-on (the payment you receive when you stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit)
- Working Tax Credit / Child Tax Credit / Universal Credit and have a household income of £16,190 a year or less
Children are also entitled to a funded place if:
- They’re looked after by a local council
- They have a statement of special education needs (SEN) or an education health and care plan (EHCP)
- They get Disability Living Allowance
- They have at some point been in care under a special guardianship order, child arrangements order or adoption order
For children who attend our setting term-time only, our term dates closely follow those of local schools.
Your nursery cannot issue the funding for 2-year-olds, you must apply for it through your local authority. For more information, take a look on the Government website.
