Childcare Funding
Guidance:
Funding for Working Families
(9 Months to School Age)
The government provides significant support for working parents, which is expanding to 30 hours per week from September 2025. The great news is that the eligibility criteria are now the same for all children from 9 months up to school age.
Essential Eligibility Criteria
To access this funding, your family must meet three core requirements:
Work Requirement: Both parents (or the sole parent in a single-parent family) must earn, on average, the equivalent of at least 16 hours per week at the National Minimum Wage. If you're self-employed or have irregular income, the government looks at your average earnings over a three-month period.
Income Cap: Your 'adjusted net income' must be under £100,000 per year. This includes salary, bonuses, and investment income, but excludes pension contributions, which can be useful for tax planning.
Application Timing: You must apply for an eligibility code through the government's Childcare Choices website in the term before you need the care. Codes expire every three months and require regular renewal to keep your funding active.
What This Means for Parents Applying Now (Summer 2025)
This is a crucial time to apply to maximise your benefits.
If your child is aged 9 months to 2 years: By applying now, you can secure 15 hours of funded childcare immediately. As long as you remain eligible, this will automatically increase to 30 hours per week from September 2025.
If your child is 3-4 years old: You are already eligible for the full 30 hours per week and can secure this now for the upcoming term.
We strongly recommend starting your application by the end of May for a September start. This ensures your code is processed in time and gives you peace of mind that your funding is secured.
We're here to help!
Quick Eligibility Check
Snowflakes Day Nursery accepts all major government funding schemes, allowing eligible families to access our proven educational approach with significant cost reductions.
💰 Am I eligible for funding?
Working parents (children 9 months - 5 years):
✅ Likely eligible for 30 hours free childcare worth up to £7,000 per year
✅ Additional 20% government contribution available through Tax-Free Childcare
✅ Requirements: Both parents work 16+ hours weekly and earn under £100,000 each
All parents (children 3-4 years):
✅ Automatically entitled to 15 hours free childcare per week
✅ Worth approximately £3,500 per year with no income requirements
✅ No application needed - we manage this upon enrolment
Universal Credit, Tax Credits, or Income Support:
✅ 15 hours free childcare if receiving Universal Credit, Tax Credits, or Income Support
✅ Worth approximately £3,500 per year
✅ Local council confirms eligibility - typically within one consultation
🗓️ When can funding start?
Funding officially begins the term after you successfully apply. To secure your funding for...
The Autumn Term (Sept-Dec):
You must apply with Childcare Choices by August 31st.
The Spring Term (Jan-Mar):
You must apply with Childcare Choices by December 31st.
The Summer Term (Apr-Aug):
You must apply with Childcare Choices by March 31st.
Applying now in Summer? If you get your code today, you can start using your funded hours straight away for the rest of the summer term and, most importantly, you will have secured your funding for the main Autumn term starting in September.
*Late applications may be accommodated subject to availability
📍 Do you have funded places available?
✅ We have dedicated funded places reserved at all four locations
✅ Current availability should be confirmed by calling one of our branches. Check our branches page to see which one is most convenient
🤝 What does funded care at snowflakes include?
✅ Qualified teaching staff and key person allocation
✅ Full educational programme and materials
✅ All meals and healthy snacks
✅ Parent communication app access
✅ No additional registration for families only using funded hours
Ready to proceed?
Continue below for comprehensive eligibility details, application guidance, and frequently asked questions.
For immediate assistance, contact our admissions team for personalised funding consultation.
Ready to join Snowflakes?
✅ Tour our nursery and meet the team
✅ Calculate your funding at Snowflakes
✅ Get personal help with applications
✅ Reserve your funded place
We're here to help!
Funding for Working Families
The government's Childcare Choices website serves as a central hub for most applications, while Universal Credit claims go through the standard gov.uk portal. Both systems are designed to guide you through eligibility checking before you begin formal applications.
Professional Guidance:
Navigating multiple funding schemes can feel overwhelming, especially when you're trying to maximise savings while ensuring continuous coverage. Our admissions team provides personalised funding consultations where we review your family's specific circumstances, calculate potential savings from different combinations, and guide you through the application timeline to ensure you don't miss critical deadlines.
How to apply:
The best way is to start your funding applications at least one term before you need childcare. For September 2025 starts, begin the process in May. This timing allows for code processing, any appeals if applications are initially rejected, and gives you peace of mind that funding is secured before you start nursery.
For assistance we have someone on our team who can give advice at any of our branches:
Southall Branch: 020 8571 6378
Northolt Branch: 020 8845 8998
Windmill Avenue Branch: 020 8571 6867
Norwood Green Branch: 020 8507 3222
Ready to join Snowflakes with funded places?
✅ Tour our nursery and meet the team
✅ Calculate your funding at Snowflakes
✅ Get personal help with applications
✅ Reserve your funded place
We're here to help!
Other Available Childcare Support
In addition to the funding for working families, you may be able to use these schemes, either separately or in combination
Extended 15-Hour Entitlement
(September 2025)
2-Year Olds
What it is:
Families receiving certain government benefits can access 15 hours of funded childcare for their 2-year-old.
How to get it:
Eligibility is based on your benefit status, not earnings. This includes families receiving Universal Credit with a household income under £15,400, or those receiving specific disability benefits. Your local council can help you apply.
3-4 Year Olds
What it is:
All children in England automatically receive 15 hours of free childcare per week per term after their third birthday, regardless of what their parents earn or do.
How to get it:
No application is needed. Your nursery handles this automatically when you provide your child's birth certificate.
We can help!
Tax-Free Childcare
How the Government Boost Works:
Tax-Free Childcare operates like a government-matched savings account. For every £8 you deposit, the government automatically adds £2 - essentially giving you an immediate 20% return on your childcare spending.
Annual Limits and Strategic Timing:
You can receive up to £2,000 per child annually (£4,000 for disabled children) in government contributions. However, there's a quarterly cap of £500 per child, so families with high childcare costs should deposit money throughout the year rather than in large lump sums.
Works Alongside Other Funding:
Tax-Free Childcare works with your free hours entitlement. You can use your 30 free hours and still receive the 20% government top-up on any additional hours you pay for privately.
Important Limitation:
The same £100,000 household income limit applies. Earn over this threshold and you lose access to this scheme entirely, making tax planning considerations even more valuable for high earners.
Universal Credit Childcare Support
Up to 85% Cost Coverage:
Universal Credit can cover up to 85% of your registered childcare costs, making it one of the most generous support schemes available. The key is understanding how the reimbursement process works and timing your payments effectively.
How the Process Works:
You pay your nursery fees upfront each month, then claim back up to 85% through your Universal Credit assessment. The reimbursement typically appears in your next Universal Credit payment, though you should keep detailed records of all childcare receipts.
Eligibility is Broad
You don't need to be unemployed to claim Universal Credit childcare support. Working families can qualify if their income falls below certain thresholds, and the scheme recognises that quality childcare enables parents to work more hours or seek better employment.
Combining with Other Support:
This scheme can work alongside some other funding types, though you can't combine it with Tax-Free Childcare. Our admissions team can help you calculate which combination provides the best financial outcome for your family's specific circumstances.
Funded Places with Snowflakes
What's Included in Your Funded Hours:
✅ Qualified teaching staff and individual key person attention
✅ Complete educational program with all materials
✅ Nutritious meals and daily progress tracking
✅ Parent communication app access
Flexible Application: Use funded hours across any of our session times and combine different funding types as needed.
Ready to join Snowflakes?
✅ Tour our nursery and meet the team
✅ Calculate your funding at Snowflakes
✅ Get personal help with applications
✅ Reserve your funded place
We're here to help!
Address:
8 Higham Mews
Grand Union Village,
Northolt,
UB5 6FP
Regulatory Authority ID: EY394004
Date Registered by Regulatory Authority:10 Sep 2009
Southall Branch
Address:
100 Carlyle Avenue,off Lady Margaret Road,
Southall,UB1 2BL
Regulatory Authority ID: EY393991
Date Registered by Regulatory Authority:02 Dec 2009
Windmill Avenue Branch
Address:
Comer Crescent,
Off Windmill Ave
Southall,
UB2 4XD
Regulatory Authority ID: EY497465
Date Registered by Regulatory Authority:27 Sep 2016
Norwood Green Branch
Address:
St Mary's Church Hall,
Norwood Green Road,Southall,
UB2 4LA
Regulatory Authority ID: EY561899
Date Registered by Regulatory Authority:07 Aug 2018
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