Early Years Funding & Financial Support

In England, the government provide funded nursery provision for all three- and four-year-olds and most two-year-olds. There are also schemes offering financial support for childcare costs.

Funded nursery provision

For detailed information about the different types of Early Years Funding, and to check what you may be eligible to receive, please visit the Childcare Choices website. 

Depending on your child's age and your circumstances, you may be eligible to receive

• Two year Old Funding for Families Receiving Additional Forms of Support
  • For two year olds whose families access support such as Income Support, Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance or Universal Credit. Also for Looked After and previously Looked After two-year-olds and those with an EHCP or receiving DLA.
  • 15 funded hours per week for eligible two-year-olds
  • Apply online through North Yorkshire Council 
• Universal Funding
  • 15 funded hours per week for ALL 3 and 4 year olds
  • No application necessary
• Working Families Funding
  • Your child will usually be eligible for this funding if you (and any partner) are working, starting a new job or on sick leave/ annual leave/ shared parental, maternity or adoption leave.
  • 15 funded hours per week for eligible children aged 9 months to 2 years  (rising to 30 hours from September 2025)
  • 15 funded hours per week for 3 and 4 year olds, making a total of 30 hours per week when combined with Universal Funding
  • Apply online though the gov.uk site . 

Eligibility for these funding schemes begins at the start of the term after the child reaches the relevant age. In all cases, the funding is available for 38 weeks per year (term time). 

Funding can be used for any of our sessions in Raindrops, Puddles or Rainbow Wraparound.

Support with the costs of childcare

There is also support available to help with the costs of any nursery provision beyond a child's funded hours.  For detailed information about the different schemes, and to check what you may be eligible to receive, please visit the Childcare Choices website. 

• Tax Free Childcare
  • If you’re a working parent or carer, you can get a £2 top-up for every £8 that you pay towards childcare.
  • The eligibility criteria are the same as for Working Families Funding. Apply for both schemes together on the Childcare Choices website. 
• Universal Credit Childcare
  • Working parents who receive Universal Credit may be able to claim back up to 85% of childcare costs
• Help with childcare costs while you study (schemes for Parents in Further or Higher Education).

Free School Meals

If you are in receipt of income support, child tax credit or universal credit your child may be eligible for Free School Meals. For nursery-aged children, applications cannot be made online, but we have application forms available from the Early Years Office.