In this news we explain the 30 hours free childcare scheme, how it works generally and then how it works at Burgess Hill Nursery.
what is the 30 hours free childcare scheme?
For some time now parents of 3 year olds have been able to claim 15 hours a week free childcare for 38 weeks of the year (this amounts to 570 free hours a year).
As of 2017, you may now be eligible for up to 30 hours a week free childcare for 38 weeks of the year (amounting to 1,140 hours a year).
How does the 30 hours free childcare work?
It is available at participating childcare providers such as Nurseries, Playgroups, Childminders and Sure Start Children’s Centres. Not all centres have to or intend to provide it, we are proud to say Burgess Hill Nursery does!
To be eligible, you and your partner (if you have one) need to be:
- in work – or getting parental leave, sick leave or annual leave
- each earning at least the National Minimum Wage or Living Wage for 16 hours a week – this is £120 if you’re over 25. This earnings limit doesn’t apply if you’re self-employed and started your business less than 12 months ago.
You might not be eligible if:
- your child doesn’t usually live with you
- the child is your foster child
- either you or your partner has a taxable income over £100,000
How do you apply for the 30 hours free childcare?
To register for 30 hours free childcare, you will need to do the following:
- Apply online through the childcare service
- If you are eligible, you will receive a code
- Bring your code to Burgess Hill Nursery along with your National Insurance number and your child’s date of birth
- We will check the code is authentic and allocate your funding.
What difference does it make to my fees?
The table below shows how our Burgess Hill Nursery fees reduce after the 15 or 30 hours of Early Years Free Entitlement (EYF) have been applied. Your termly fees can be reduced by almost 35% or £305 per day per term. If your child attends full-time with us this equates to a saving of £381 per month, £1,525 per term, or £4,575 per year!
| Fees per session per term | Full Fee | Full Fee inc 15 hrs EYF (pro-rata) |
Full Fee inc 30 hrs EYF (pro-rata) |
| Attendance year-round | |||
| 1 full day (8am-6pm) | £895 | £740 | £590 |
| 1 school day (8.30am-3.50pm) | £655 | £500 | £500 |
| 1 morning (8am-1pm) | £450 | £450 | £450 |
| 1 afternoon (1pm-6pm) | £405 | £405 | £405 |
| Attendance during school term | |||
| 1 full day (8am-6pm) | £600 | £445 | £295 |
| 1 school day (8.30am-3.50pm) | £440 | £285 | £285 |
| 1 morning (8am-1pm) | £300 | £300 | £300 |
| 1 afternoon (1pm-6pm) | £270 | £270 | £270 |
| Early drop-off / late pick-up (arranged at least 24 hrs in advance): | £10 per half-hour or part there-of | ||
| Early drop-off / late pick-up (less than 24 hours notice): | £15 per 15 mins or part there-of | ||
What else is on offer via Childcare Choices?
As well as the EYF, Nursery parents will also be able to continue to use Childcare vouchers with us or apply for the new tax free top up. You can find out more about this on HMRC’s new Childcare Choices website. You can open an online account which you can pay into to cover the cost of childcare with us. The government will then top this up by 20%. Grandparents and other family members can also add money to this account. For every 80p paid into the account, the government will add 20p. The Childcare Choices website also offers information on ‘support whilst studying, tax credits and universal credit.’
Burgess Hill Girls is proud to support working families and happy to offer the free 30 hours funding. In addition to providing the full 30 hours EYF and accepting childcare vouchers our Outstanding Burgess Hill Nursery offers a choice of a school day or full day timetable as well as early and late drop off options. Please contact us to find out more and arrange a visit.
