Eligible working parents of children aged 9 months to 3 years may be entitled to 15 hours of funded childcare support. This government initiative aims to ease the transition back to work for parents, ensuring your child receives quality care during these early, formative years.
Childcare Funding Simplified for Babies and Toddlers 9-24 Months
Navigating childcare for your little one? We’re here to guide you through the funding opportunities available for expecting or new parents.
u003ch3u003e15 Hours Childcare Fundingu003c/h3u003ernFor Working Families
u003ch3u003e30 Hours Childcare Fundingu003c/h3u003ernFor Working Families
u003cemu003eLooking ahead to u003cstrongu003eSeptember 2025u003c/strongu003e,u003c/emu003e this support extends an additional 15 hours. Working families will be eligible to apply for u003cstrongu003eup to 30 hoursu003c/strongu003e of funded childcare per week, applicable from when your child is 9 months old until they begin school. This expansion will help parents to cover a significant portion of childcare needs during the work week.
Stretched Funding Hours
Understanding the balancing act between work and family, we offer the option to ‘stretch’ your funded hours over up to 51 weeks instead of the standard 38 weeks. This means using fewer hours per week but over a longer period. This flexible approach ensures that your baby enjoys a consistent routine while you benefit from a childcare schedule that aligns with your family’s unique lifestyle and commitments. Take a look at the examples below.
u003ch3u003e15 Hours of StretchedrnChildcare Fundingu003c/h3u003ernFor Working Families
Traditionally allocated over the 38 weeks of term time, you have the option to extend this schedule to cover a 51-week period. By doing so, the weekly hours adjust to approximately 11 hours.
u003ch3u003e30 Hours of StretchedrnChildcare Fundingu003c/h3u003ernFor Working Families
From September 2025, if you’re eligible for 30 hours of childcare funding, you can choose to stretch this for up to 51 weeks. In this case, your weekly hours would be around 22 hours.
Why Zipadee?
This isn’t just any nursery, it’s a place where little ones can grow, learn, and be loved. Join Arabella and her friends as they jump, dance, play, and explore the joy of learning every day!
Benefits for your baby at Zipadee
At Zipadee, we’re committed to more than just exceptional childcare, we ensure you’re connected to your child’s developmental journey every step of the way. Here’s what makes us unique:
Tailored Baby Milestone Tracking; Our specialised online app is designed to keep you informed about your baby’s milestones. Including;
- Feeding and nap schedules, so you’re always in the know.
- Updates on your baby’s engagement in stimulating, baby-centric activities.
Nurturing, well-resourced environments where children thrive through play, exploration, and challenge.
Carefully designed spaces that encourage children to:
- Think, contemplate, and discover.
- Experiment, make decisions, and solve problems.
- Rest and recharge in a peaceful setting.
Our exceptional care and education, led by highly trained teams, nurture each child’s unique development and needs. We’re here to give your baby the best possible start in life.
Childcare: Essentials and Extras
While government funding offsets childcare costs, there may be additional fees for essentials, such as all meals, nappies, wipes, sun cream, trips and extra curriculum. Read more about Essentials and Extras.
Childcare Funding FAQ
Am I eligible for 15 hours childcare funding for my baby?
Working parents with babies starting from 9 months old may be eligible for 15 hours of childcare funding. Parents must work at least 16 hours weekly at the national minimum wage and have an annual income not exceeding £100,000. Find more details via the u003ca href=u0022https://www.gov.uk/childcare-calculator?step-by-step-nav=f237ec8e-e82c-4ffa-8fba-2a88a739783bu0022u003eGov.UKu003c/au003e website
When will my childcare funding start?
The date you start or return to work determines when your free childcare begins:rnu003culu003ern tu003cliu003eu003cstrongu003eReturning 1 October to 31 January:u003c/strongu003e Funding starts from the term on or after 1 January 2025u003c/liu003ern tu003cliu003eu003cstrongu003eReturning 1 February to 30 April 25:u003c/strongu003e Funding starts from the term on or after 1 April 2025.u003c/liu003ernu003c/ulu003e
How does the ‘stretching’ of funded hours work?
The ‘stretching’ option allows you to spread your funded hours over more weeks by using fewer hours each week, providing increased flexibility to match your family’s schedule.
How many funded hours per day can I use at Zipadee
The daily use of funded hours at Zipadee depends on the nursery’s availability and opening hours. The funding is allocated on a pro-rata basis across the year, rather than by specific days.
Can I roll over unused hours to the next term if I’m on holiday?
Unfortunately, hours are allocated on a pro-rata basis throughout the year, maintaining a consistent weekly routine regardless of holidays or sickness.
What should I do if I need extra hours on an ad hoc basis?
Please discuss your needs with the nursery manager as soon as possible. They will do their best to accommodate additional bookings, which will incur a non-funded charge.
Applying for Childcare Funding
Find out more: Childcare Choices