Government Funded Hours

Government funding is available to help with the cost of nursery fees.

From the term following their third birthday, all pre-school age 3 and 4 year olds are eligible for 15 hours of free care per week, 38 weeks of the year. Some families may be entitled to up to 30 hours of free care per week, depending on personal circumstances.

Starting from April 2024, existing childcare support will be expanded in phases. By September 2025, most working families with children under the age of 5 will be entitled to 30 hours of childcare support each week. The changes are being introduced gradually to make sure that providers can meet the needs of families. This means that:

From April 2024, working parents of 2 year olds will be able to access 15 hours' childcare support/week.

From September 2024, 15 hours' childcare support will be extended to all children from the age of 9 months - 3.

From September 2025, working parents of children under the age of 5 will be entitled to 30 hours' of childcare support/week.

Depending on your nursery provider, these hours can be used over 38 weeks of the year (during school term time) or up to 52 weeks if you use fewer than your total hours per week. 

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From April 2024, working parents of 2 year olds will be able to access 15 hours' childcare support each week, up to 38 weeks of the year (570 hours in total). To apply for this funding, please use the following link: Apply for funded hours You must supply your child's nursery with the code that you are given. Your nursery fees will then be reduced, taking into account the government funding you are entitled to. If you are struggling to apply for a code, please follow this link for further help and advice: How to claim 15 hours free childcare including how to get your code - The Education Hub (blog.gov.uk)

From September 2024, 15 hours' childcare support will be extended to all children from the age of 9 months, for 38 weeks of the year. Applications for funding will open on May 12th 2024.

All 3 and 4 year olds in England are entitled to 570 hours’ free childcare per year. These hours are usually taken over 38 weeks (during term-time) and so equate to 15 hours per week. Your child’s nursery may ask you to complete paperwork to ensure that your child gets the funding he or she is entitled to but you do not need to apply for a code with the County Council for this. 

All University of Oxford and community nurseries operate the 15 hours scheme, though how funds are allocated may vary, e.g. some nurseries may ‘stretch’ the free hours over a full calendar year. Funding is applied to your fees the term after your child's third birthday.

Some working parents may be eligible for an additional 570 hours’ free childcare each year (or a total of 30 hours per week taken over 38 weeks). 

To check if you are eligible for the 30 hours scheme, please look on the government website. Once you apply you will be given a code, please give this to the nursery before the start of the term after your child's third birthday.

 

Finance Enquiries

University Nurseries

01865 289835

childcarefinance@admin.ox.ac.uk

 

Community Nurseries

01865 289841

childcarefinance@admin.ox.ac.uk 

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