Funding
15 Hours Funded Childcare
Eligibility
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Families with eligible children aged 9 months and 2 years old are entitled to 15 hours of funded childcare per week.
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All 3- and 4-year-old children automatically qualify for 15 hours of funded childcare per week.
When Does Funding Start?
Funding begins from the start of the term following your child's 9-month, 2nd, or 3rd birthday.
How Funding Works at Linden Tree Nursery Schools
The government provides funding for 38 weeks per year (school term time). However, as Linden Tree Nursery Schools operate year-round, the funding is stretched over 52 weeks, meaning:
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The total annual funding is 570 hours per year (15 hours x 38 weeks).
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When stretched across 52 weeks, this equals 10.96 funded hours per week.
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These 10.96 hours are divided across your booked days.
Example If you have a 4-day booking pattern:
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10.96 hours ÷ 4 days = 2.74 funded hours per booked day.
Term Start Dates
If your child turns 3 in October, for example, funding will begin in the Spring Term.
Applying for 9-Month & 2-Year-Old Funding
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Check eligibility at gov.uk/childcare.
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If eligible, you will receive an 11-digit reference number.
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Email this number, along with the name and NI number of the applying parent, to info@ltns.org.uk.
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Once confirmed, the funding will be applied from the start of the next term to your monthly invoices.
Additional 15 Hours (30 Hours Funding)
Eligibility
Once your child turns 3 years old, they may be eligible for an additional 15 hours of funded childcare, increasing the total to:
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1,140 hours per school year (30 hours x 38 weeks).
How 30 Hours Funding is Applied
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When stretched across 52 weeks, this equates to 21.92 funded hours per week.
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These 21.92 hours are divided across your booked days.
Example
If you have a 4-day booking pattern:
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21.92 hours ÷ 4 days = 5.48 funded hours per booked day.
Applying for 30 Hours Funding
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Check eligibility at gov.uk/childcare.
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If eligible, you will receive an 11-digit reference number.
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Email this number, along with the name and NI number of the applying parent, to info@ltns.org.uk.
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Once confirmed, the funding will be applied from the start of the next term to your monthly invoices.
Hourly Rates & Local Authority Information
The hourly funding rate varies between local authorities. For specific details, visit:
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Or check the Government Childcare Website for more information.
Additional Reading & Other Support
Tax-Free Childcare
Parents may also be eligible for Tax-Free Childcare. Learn more at:
gov.uk/tax-free-childcare
Workplace Nursery Provision
Some parents can benefit from Workplace Nursery Schemes. Learn more at:
workplace-nursery.net