Early Years Funding Cambridge
Early Years Funding Cambridge
Embedded Files
We are registered with the Cambridgeshire local authority to provide early years funding to eligible children of all ages attending Smiths Children Montessori.
We are registered with the Cambridgeshire local authority to provide early years funding to eligible children of all ages attending Smiths Children Montessori.
Find out if you are Eligible for Early Years Funded Sessions?
Find out if you are Eligible for Early Years Funded Sessions?
Parent’s Guide to Childcare Funding & Eligibility
To access government-funded childcare at our nursery, parents must navigate the statutory application process managed by HMRC and the Local Education Authority (LEA). Below is a summary of how to obtain, use, and maintain your funding.....
1. When You Can Access the Entitlement
The term in which your child can start using funded hours depends on when they reach the required age (9 months, 2 years, or 3 years). Eligibility begins the term following the relevant milestone:
Born 1st January – 31st March: Access begins from the term starting 1st April.
Born 1st April – 31st August: Access begins from the term starting 1st September.
Born 1st September – 31st December: Access begins from the term starting 1st January.
2. Critical Application Deadlines
For entitlements under the working-parent offer (including the 30-hours entitlement), you must have a valid eligibility code in place by the following dates:
To Start Funding In... You Must Apply By...
Spring Term (Starts 1 Jan) 31st December
Summer Term (Starts 1 Apr) 31st March
Autumn Term (Starts 1 Sept) 31st August
Proactive Planning: Official guidance recommends that parents apply at least 8 weeks ahead of the deadline to account for any administrative delays. If you miss the deadline, you may not be able to use the entitlements for that term and will have to wait until the start of the next term.
3. How to Apply and Register
1. Apply Online: Parents must apply via the childcare choices government website
2. Provide Your Code: Once approved, you will receive an 11-digit code. You must provide this code to the nursery office along with your National Insurance (NI) number and your child’s date of birth.
3. Validation: We will validate your code through the Local Authority portal to confirm your funded place.
4. Mandatory 3 - Month Reconfirmation
To keep your code valid, you must reconfirm your eligibility every 3 months via the government chidlcare choices website, even if your child is already using the hours. HMRC will typically send a reminder; however, it remains the parent's responsibility to ensure the code does not expire.
Funded Sessions: For eligible children from 1st January 2026
15 hours funding - Stretched 11.18 hours week, over 51 Weeks
1st January to 31st March
Term of 13 weeks
148.2 hours
1st April to 31st August
Term of 21 weeks
239.4 hours
1st September to 31st December
Term 16 weeks
182.4 hours
Year hours total = 570
30 hours funding - Stretched 22.35 hours week, over 51 Weeks
1st January to 31st March
Term of 13 weeks
296.4 hours
1st April to 31st August
Term of 21 weeks
478.8 hours
1st September to 31st December
Term 16 weeks
364.8 hours
Year hours total = 1140
Our Fees, Funding and Discounts for the current year
Our Fees, Funding and Discounts for the current year
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