The Childcare Offer provides all eligible parents with a combined 30 hours of government-funded childcare and Foundation Learning Provision (early education) for up to 48 weeks per year.
The 48 weeks includes 39 weeks of combined education and childcare during school term-time and 9 weeks of childcare outside of school terms.
You will be liable for any childcare used during the 4 unpaid weeks. These will always be school holiday weeks.
39 weeks of the year combined education and childcare during term-time
| Education and childcare provision | Hours per week |
|---|
| Foundation learning provision (early education) |
12.5 hours |
| Childcare offer |
17.5 hours |
| |
= 30 hours per week |
9 weeks of ‘holiday’ provision outside of school terms (3 weeks per term child is eligible)
| Holiday provision | Hours per week |
|---|
| Childcare offer |
30 hours |
You do not need to take up an early education place at a school nursery to use the Childcare Offer, even if there are no spaces at your preferred school. Whether you choose to access the 12.5 hours of education that comes with the offer or not, your childcare funding will be capped at a maximum of:
- 17.5 hours in term time, or
- 30 hours during school holidays.
The Childcare Offer funding covers the childcare the professionals within the setting provide. It does not include food, transport to or from school nursery, or off-site activities that incur an extra charge, which you may have to pay.
If you have any queries about what extra costs you may have to pay after funding has been applied, please speak to the providers.
Find out how to apply for a nursery place