Parent Handbook (246 Kb) 
download
Child Care Checklist (95 KB) 
Agreement Form (94 KB) 
Monthly Billing Chart (95 KB) Funded Childcare
15 & 30 Hours of Free Early Education for Your Little One
If you’re living in England, you may be entitled to government-funded childcare of 15 or 30 hours per week for your child. These funded hours can significantly reduce your childcare costs while giving your child access to quality early education at WMB Childcare.
Funded Childcare at WMB Childcare
Give your child the best start in life with high-quality, government-funded childcare at WMB Childcare. We proudly offer funded places for eligible families in Manchester for children aged 9 months to 4 years old.
What is Funded Childcare?
Funded childcare is a government initiative designed to make early education more accessible and affordable for families. Depending on your circumstances, you could receive up to 15 or 30 hours per week of free childcare during term time (38 weeks/year).
These hours can be stretched across the year for working parents who need consistent support.
Why Choose WMB for Funded Childcare?
✓ OFSTED-registered nurseries across Manchester
✓ Welcoming, inclusive environment for children aged 9 months to 4 years
✓ Experienced, qualified staff who support school readiness
✓ We handle funding applications with you step-by-step
✓ Flexible options: term-time only or stretched across the year
Government-Funded Childcare Options
The government offers a range of funded childcare options to support families. Depending on your circumstances, you could receive 15 or 30 hours of free childcare each week. Here’s a breakdown of what’s available and who can apply.
15 Hours – Universal Entitlement
✓ Available for all 3–4 year olds, regardless of family income.
✓ Funded for 38 weeks a year (term time) = 570 hours annually.
15 Hours – For 2-Year-Olds (Income-Based)
✓ For families receiving support like Universal Credit, Income Support, ESA, or JSA.
Also eligible if:
✓ Child receives Disability Living Allowance
✓ Child is looked after by the local authority
30 Hours – For Working Families
From September 2025, all children aged 9 months to 4 years may be eligible if:
✓ Both parents (or one in single-parent households) earn at least £183/week
✓ Neither parent earns more than £100,000/year
✓ You are a British/Irish citizen or have pre-settled/settled status
When Can I Apply?
| Age of Child | Apply From | Use From |
|---|---|---|
| 2-year-olds (15h) | At 23 weeks old | From next full term |
| 3–4 year-olds (15h or 30h) | From 2 years and 36 weeks | From next full term |
| 9+ months (15h/30h) | Apply from Sep 2024/25 phased | Sep 2024 (15h), Sep 2025 (30h) |
⚠️ Deadlines: Apply before 31 March, 31 August, or 31 December for the upcoming term.
How to Apply for Funded Childcare
1. Visit Childcare Choices
2. Create/sign in to your Childcare Account via GOV.UK
3. Provide necessary info (e.g., income, NI numbers, child’s birth date)
4. Receive your eligibility code
5. Share it with WMB Childcare
6. Reconfirm every 3 months to keep your funding active
Combine with Other Support
✓ OFSTED-registered nurseries across Manchester
✓ Welcoming, inclusive environment for children aged 9 months to 4 years
✓ Experienced, qualified staff who support school readiness
✓ We handle funding applications with you step-by-step
✓ Flexible options: term-time only or stretched across the year
Tax-Free Childcare
✓ Government tops up £2 for every £8 you add
✓ Save up to £2,000/year per child
✓ Use it alongside your 15 or 30 hours
Universal Credit Childcare
✓ Up to 85% of childcare costs covered
✓ Monthly caps: £1,031.88 (1 child), £1,768.94 (2+ children)
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
It begins in September 2025, but you must apply and receive your eligibility code before 31 August 2025 to utilise it that term.
No new application is needed. If you’re eligible for 30 hours from September 2025, your code will increase automatically—just remember to reconfirm your details every 3 months to keep it active.
From September 2025: Working parents of children aged 9 months to school age, earning at least £183/week but less than £100,000/year, and with settled UK status.
15 hours are available to 2-year-olds on benefits and all 3- to 4-year-olds, irrespective of income.
Yes. The funding covers 38 weeks per year, but most providers, including WMB, offer the option to spread the hours across 52 weeks—averaging about 11 hours/week for 15-hour funding, or 22 hours/week for 30-hour funding.
If you don’t reconfirm your eligibility every 3 months, your funding may be paused. You’ll need to log back into your GOV.UK childcare account to reactivate it, otherwise funding won’t resume until the next term.
Yes! Many families stack funding options:
✓ Tax‑Free Childcare adds government top-ups for every £8 you contribute, up to £2,000/year per child
✓ Universal Credit’s childcare element can cover up to 85% of additional costs for extra, unfunded hours .
Funded hours cover basic nursery time for 38 weeks a year. Additional costs, such as meals, consumables, or childcare during holidays, may apply. Many providers offer a reference cost or quality premium to cover these extras, though essentials like nappies and formula may be included .
Be ready with:
✓ National Insurance numbers or UTRs (if self-employed)
✓ Date of birth and immigration status (settled/ pre-settled/British/Irish)
✓ Income info (e.g., wage slips or self-assessment tax return)
✓ Your child’s birth certificate/order as applicable
Yes. If you’re on maternity/paternity/adoption leave, sick leave, or are a full-time carer, you still qualify—as long as you meet income criteria (or applicable benefits rules)
Absolutely. Parents on Universal Credit can access:
✓ 15 hours for 2-year-olds (income-based).
✓ 15/30 hours for 3–4-year-olds (depending on income and work hours).
✓ Additional help via the Universal Credit childcare element to cover extra costs.
