Making High-Quality Childcare More Accessible
At Daisy Chain, we believe every family should have access to high-quality childcare. That is why we are committed to helping families understand and access the financial support available to them. Since 2010, the Department for Education has offered funded childcare to eligible families across England. Since 1st September 2025, even more families are able to benefit from this support.
How funding works
Government funding typically covers 15 or 30 hours per week for 38 term-time weeks per year, with a maximum of 10 hours per day.
The way this funding is applied depends on whether your child attends childcare during term time only or all year round:
Types of Government Support
Working Family Funded Childcare – Up to 30 Hours Per Week
Additional Support for 2-Year-Olds
Universal 15 Hours for All 3–4 Year Olds
Tax-Free Childcare – Save 20%
Working Family Funded Childcare – Up to 30 Hours Per Week
Since 1st September 2025, many working families with children aged 9 months to 4 years are eligible for 30 hours of funded childcare per week, until their child starts school.
This funding provides 1,140 hours per academic year (September–August). All Daisy Chain nurseries offer funded places and aim to help you make the most of your funding.
Here is how the 1,140 hours can be used:
| Attendance Type | Funding Calculation | Hours Per Week | Available at the following Daisy Chain settings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Term Time (38 weeks) | 1,140 hours ÷ 38 weeks | 30 hours/week | Middleton |
| Year-Round (12 months) | 1,140 hours ÷ 12 months | 95 hours/month(1) | Adel, Lofthouse, Rothwell |
1. Assuming a September start.
Example Calculation
If your child starts in September and attends 3 full days per week (30 hours total), based on an example daily rate of £71, and your funding is stretched over a full year (12 months, during which the nursery is open 51 weeks):
- Monthly invoice before funding deduction: 3 days x £71 daily rate x 51 weeks ÷ 12 months = £905.25
- Funded hours deducted per month: 1,140 ÷ 12 = 95 hours
- Hourly rate: £71 daily rate ÷ 10 hours = £7.10/hour
- Funding deduction per month: 95 x £7.10 = £674.50
- Monthly cost for the family: £905.25 – £674.50 = £230.75 per month
To access this funding, apply via your Online Childcare Account and provide your Eligibility Code to your Daisy Chain nursery during the enrolment process. Please note the number of hours deducted monthly may vary slightly depending on the child’s start date during the academic year.
Working Family Funded Childcare Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for funding, you will need to meet the following criteria:
- You must live in England
- You and your partner earn at least £195 per week if over the age of 21 (equivalent to 16 hours on National Minimum Wage)
- You or your partner must not earn over £100,000 per annum adjusted net income (after tax)
You may still be eligible if you are on sick or parental leave and if you are claiming benefits.
Check your eligibility here to know which funding you are entitled to.
The deadline for applications is the day before the term begins however, we encourage families to apply at least 6 weeks earlier to ensure all parties have enough time to complete their tasks.
Please note that if you are returning to work from parental leave, the date you return to work will affect when you can access your entitlement.
Funding access key dates
| Period your child turns 9 months | Term you can access 30 funded hours childcare from | Recommended Application Period |
|---|---|---|
| 1st January to 31st March | Term starting on or after 1st April | 15th January – 28th February |
| 1st April – 31st August | Term starting on or after 1st September | 15th June – 31st July |
| 1st September to 31st December | Term starting on or after 1st January | 15th October -30th November |
Working Family Funded Childcare Checklist
Here is your checklist to make sure you have done everything you need to access the funding:
- Check your Working Family Childcare eligibility
- Access your Online Childcare Account:
- Create your Online Childcare Account for the first time if this is a new eligibility code application and apply for your first Working Family Funded Childcare Eligibility Code
- Sign into your Online Childcare Account to manage an existing code/reconfirmation
- Provide your funding code to your Daisy Chain nursery at the time of enrolment. This will need to be renewed and provided by the family every 3 months to enable continued access to the additional funding.
Additional Support for 2-Year-Olds
Some families with 2-year-olds may be eligible for additional funding, including those who:
- Receive benefits such as Universal Credit or Income Support
- Have children with SEND or receiving Disability Living Allowance
- Have children under kinship or guardianship orders
For more information on eligibility please check:
Universal 15 Hours for All 3–4 Year Olds
All children aged 3–4 years are entitled to 15 hours of funded childcare per week for 38 term-time weeks, regardless of family income or benefit status. This equals 570 hours per year, with a maximum of 10 hours per day. Similarly to the working family funding, this can be accessed over term time or “stretched” over 51 weeks depending on your Daisy Chain nursery.
Universal 15 hours funded childcare access dates
| Period your child turns 3 in: | Term you can access the universal 3-4 year old 15 hours funding: |
|---|---|
| 1st January – 31st March | Term starting on or after 1st April |
| 1st April – 31st August | Term starting on or after 1st September |
| 1st September – 31st December | Term starting on or after 1st January |
How to access the 15 hours universal funded childcare for 3-4 year olds
As all 3-4 year olds are eligible for this funding, you will not need to apply however you will receive a Free Early Years Entitlement (FEEE) Declaration Form so that your funding can be applied.
Tax-Free Childcare – Save 20%
Families at Daisy Chain can also use the Tax-Free Childcare scheme, which offers 20% savings on childcare costs.
For every £8 you pay into your online childcare account, the government adds £2—up to £500 every three months.
You can use Tax-Free Childcare alongside other funding options, including the 30-hour scheme. This means you will receive an additional 20% discount after your funded hours are applied.
Even after your child starts school, you can continue using Tax-Free Childcare for wraparound care (before and after school) with participating providers.