The early years funding can seem complicated, and we hope that the information provided is helpful, but we understand that it may not answer all your specific questions. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call the office and we will happily help you find the best options for your family.
The Government funding schemes available are:
Working Parent Entitlement for 9-24 Months
From September 2025, eligible working parents of children aged 9 months and older can access 1,140 hours of funded childcare per year (30 hours per week over 38 weeks or 24 hours per week over 48 weeks). Eligibility is based on each parent working at least 16 hours per week. Applications are made via HMRC, and parents must reconfirm eligibility every 3 months.
Free for 2 Funding
570 hours of funded childcare is available for qualifying families from a child’s 2nd birthday. This can be taken as 15 hours/week over 38 weeks or 12 hours/week over 48 weeks. These places are subject to availability and are not subject to a service charge.
Working Parent Entitlement for 2 Year Olds
From September 2025, eligible working parents of children aged 2 can access 1,140 hours of funded childcare per year (30 hours per week over 38 weeks or 24 hours per week over 48 weeks). Eligibility is based on each parent working at least 16 hours per week. Applications are made via HMRC, and parents must reconfirm eligibility every 3 months.
Universal Funding for 3&4 Year Olds (All Families)
All families are entitled to 570 hours per year of funded childcare for children aged 3 and 4. This can be taken as 15 hours per week over 38 weeks or 12 hours per week over 48 weeks. 3&4 extended funding – working families eligible working families can receive an additional 570 hours, bringing their total to 1,140 hours per year. This begins the term after the child’s 3rd birthday. Eligibility requirements and revalidation every 3 months apply.
Important – if you wish your child to attend outside of their funded hours, you will be charged at our advertised rate.
Please remember that hours funded by any government schemes only cover minimum staff costs and the basic delivery of early years foundation stage and we are not allowed to use this funding for any additional hours, extra staff members or the enhanced services which we offer. Once eligible we will do what we can to accommodate your requirements within our available session times, however the entitlement to a funded place does not guarantee that place at any one provider or within a particular pattern of delivery. Every provider will have a different pattern of delivery which fits the service that they provide for their children, families, and the individual setting.
Please note that we are a year-round setting that is open 50 weeks a year. Families accessing funding can opt for term time (up to 30 hours per week) or stretched hours (up to 24 hours per week). Please note that there are two weeks per year that stretched funding does not cover, so full fees will be applied. To confirm if you are eligible you will need to register for the funding through the government website https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/ before the start of the next school term. You will receive an 11-digit code which you must provide the nursery in order for us to process your claim. To keep your funded childcare place, you need to revalidate your details every 3 months, (please register for the text alert), if you do not revalidate your details it may lead to your funding being withdrawn and you will be liable for the full cost of childcare.
To keep your funded childcare place, you need to revalidate your details every 3 months, (please register for the text alert), if you do not revalidate your details it may lead to your funding being withdrawn and you will be liable for the full cost of the childcare.
Farm Work Play’s Fully Funded Sessions
We understand that the cost of childcare to a family is a significant expense, and we are committed to offering options to suit our families. The government funding offer is designed to only cover the cost of minimum staff levels and basic delivery of the Early Years Foundation Stage Framework.
To allow us to offer fully funded sessions with no additional costs we have a package of set times available throughout the week. Alternatively, families can elect to use our Enhanced Funding Package.
Opt Out – Fully Funded Package (subject to availability)
Term Time Fully Funded Sessions with no charges are available:
- Free for 2 Funding & Universal Funding only – 1x 9hr day & 1x 6hr day
- Working Parent Entitlement (all ages) – 3 x 9hr days
Families selecting Fully Funded sessions are required to provide their child/ren with healthy meals and snack options in line with our Food from Home Policy, as well as nappies, wipes, and sun cream. You can also choose to purchase additional food, care and activity packages if you require.
Important: the Fully Funded package delivery can be changed with 4 weeks written notice from nursery. Please enquire about availability for our Fully Funded package. It may not be possible to offer you your full entitlement of funded hours due to session availability.
Opt In – Enhanced Funding Package
For families looking for more tailored approach to using their funded hours we can offer our Enhanced Funding Package. This package allows you to select the sessions you use based on your individual family needs, with a single charge that covers everything we offer, and give you access to the following additional benefits:
- Homecooked seasonal meals and snacks. These are all prepared daily from scratch and include breakfast, morning snack, hot lunch and pudding, afternoon snack and tea.
- Free access to our programme of daily additional classes and activities, these have previously included football, rugby, cooking, music/dance, and yoga. These classes are not included in the eyfs (activities are reviewed each term).
- Free access to our enhanced schedule of events throughout the year, including nativity, parties, parent events and other special celebrations.
- Unlimited use of wipes, nappies and sun cream.
- Sun hats and spare clothing.
- Use of all-in-one puddle suits.
- Use of summer wetsuits.
- Choice of term time or year-round sessions
- Enhanced holiday discounts for children attending year-round.
- A place guaranteed for every term until your child reaches school age. (unless specified at registration)
- Reduced notice period to change booking pattern (excluding notice to terminate contract.)
- Midterm funding transfers to another provider.
Please note: this package includes an additional session fee. Please refer to our current price list for costs, these costs are reviewed annually.
For further information on all funding please visit https://www .childcarechoices.gov.uk/