Working Entitlement Funding
Understanding Government-Funded Childcare
Government-funded childcare is a valuable way to help families with the cost of early years education and childcare. Eligible families can access 15 or 30 hours of funded childcare, depending on their child's age and circumstances.
At Kingwood, we welcome government-funded hours and offer a range of options to help families make the most of their entitlement.
Are there any additional costs?
Government-funded hours cover the statutory requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), providing children with their essential early education and care. However, this funding does not cover additional provisions such as our freshly prepared meals and snacks, outings, or the wider experiences we offer beyond the EYFS curriculum.
At Kingwood, we believe childhood should be filled with opportunities to explore, discover and experience the world beyond the everyday. These additional experiences are an important part of our ethos and something we are passionate about providing.
We appreciate that every family has different expectations and priorities when choosing childcare. If you are looking for provision that focuses solely on the statutory EYFS requirements, without the additional experiences and opportunities we offer, Kingwood may not be the right fit for your family. We want families who join us to truly value and embrace everything that makes the Kingwood experience special.
How do I check if I'm eligible?
Eligibility depends on your child's age and your family's circumstances. You can check what support is available and whether you're eligible through the government's official website.
Check your eligibility: GOV.UK – Childcare support for working parents
How do I apply?
Eligible working parents can apply online through their Government Gateway account. Once approved, you'll receive an eligibility code which you'll need to share with us, alongside the relevant details, so we can arrange your funded hours.
Apply for funding: GOV.UK – Apply for funded childcare
We're here to help
Understanding childcare funding can sometimes feel a little confusing, particularly when choosing sessions and working out how your entitlement fits around family life. Our team is always happy to talk you through the options and help you understand how to make the most of your funding at Kingwood.
Tax Free Childcare
Making Childcare More Affordable with Tax-Free Childcare
Tax-Free Childcare is a government scheme designed to help working parents with the cost of childcare. For every £8 you pay into your online childcare account, the government adds an extra £2, giving families a little more help towards their childcare fees.
You can receive up to £500 every three months, per child, adding up to £2,000 a year. For children with a disability, this increases to £4,000 a year.
How does Tax-Free Childcare work?
The scheme is simple:
Set up an online childcare account through GOV.UK.
Pay money into your account whenever you need to.
For every £8 you contribute, the government adds £2.
Use the balance to pay your registered childcare provider.
The government contribution is added automatically, up to your annual allowance. You will need to reconfirm your eligibility every three months.
Who is eligible?
You may be eligible if:
You and your partner, if applicable, are both working or returning to work.
You each expect to earn the equivalent of at least 16 hours a week at the National Minimum or National Living Wage.
Neither parent has an adjusted net income of more than £100,000 a year.
Your child is aged 11 or under, or 16 or under if they have a disability.
The scheme is also available to self-employed parents. You cannot receive Tax-Free Childcare alongside Universal Credit or existing childcare vouchers.
Using Tax-Free Childcare at Kingwood
We welcome Tax-Free Childcare payments at Kingwood, allowing eligible families to put their government top-up towards their childcare fees.
You can also use Tax-Free Childcare alongside eligible government-funded childcare hours, helping to reduce the cost of any additional sessions or hours your little one attends.
How to apply
Getting started is straightforward. Visit the official government website to check your eligibility and set up your account.
Apply for Tax-Free Childcare through GOV.UK
Once your account is set up, you can add Kingwood as your childcare provider and begin making payments.
We're here to help
We understand that navigating childcare funding and payment options can sometimes feel a little confusing. If you have any questions about using Tax-Free Childcare alongside your funded hours or private sessions, our team will be happy to help you understand your options.