Childcare :

Understanding Your Funding Options

We understand how important finding the right childcare service is, and that one provider may be more suited to your family’s needs than another.

If you live and work in England you may be entitled to 30 hours funded childcare support from the term after your child turns 9 months old, until they start school. 

If you are not eligible for the working parent offer you will still receive the 15 hour entitlement for all 3 and 4 year olds from the term after your child turns 3 until they start school, irrespective of your income level, benefit status, or family circumstances.

Your childcare options will include:

  • Childminders

  • Day nurseries

  • Pre-schools / Playgroups

  • Schools and maintained nursery classes

  • Out-of-school clubs (before/after-school, holiday clubs)

  • Registered nannies (only under Tax-Free Childcare)

Get your free Funding PDF

We hope that this PDF will help guide you through this decision and give you a clear understanding of the government-funded childcare options available to your family and how Naturally Curious supports these schemes.

Get your free Funding PDF

We hope that this PDF will help guide you through this decision and give you a clear understanding of the government-funded childcare options available to your family and how Naturally Curious supports these schemes.

Childcare Options

15 Hours Free Childcare (3 & 4-Year-Olds)

All families in England can claim 15 hours of free childcare for their child from the term after they turn 3 years old. This equals 570 hours per year, usually taken as 15 hours a week over 38 weeks.

At Naturally Curious, we offer the option to stretch these hours across 51 weeks, so you can benefit from more consistent care throughout the year.

30 Hours Free Childcare (Working Parents)

From September 2025, eligible working parents in England will be able to access up to 30 hours of funded childcare per week for children aged 9 months to school age, for 38 weeks per year (or 1,140 hours annually).

Eligibility includes:

- Each parent (or the sole parent in a single-parent family) must earn the equivalent of at least 16 hours per week at minimum wage.

- Each must earn less than £100,000 per year.

At Naturally Curious, we stretch the 1,140 hours over 51 weeks, providing approximately 22 hours per week, making care more manageable over holidays and reducing gaps in childcare.

15 Hours Free Childcare (2-Year-Olds)

If you receive certain government support, your 2-year-old may be eligible for 15 hours of funded childcare from the term after they turn 2.

Eligibility may include:

- Receiving Universal Credit with a household income of less than £15,400 after tax
- Child has an Education, Health and Care (EHC) plan
- Child receives Disability Living Allowance
- Child is looked after or has left care under a special guardianship/adoption/residence order


We accept these funded places at Naturally Curious and can stretch them across 51 weeks, too.

Questions to consider

As you consider which childcare and funding options are best for your family, here are some helpful questions to reflect on:

  • Do you qualify for 15 or 30 hours based on your working status or benefits?

  • Would it help to stretch the hours over 51 weeks instead of 38?

  • Will you need to reconfirm your eligibility code every 3 months? (Yes, required by the government)

  • Do you need care for siblings with different entitlements?

  • What’s included in the provider’s offer? Are meals, nappies, or activities extra?

  • Will your provider support you in using more than one funding scheme, if eligible?

Once you’ve selected a childcare provider, you may want to ask further questions like:

  • Does the provider clearly explain what is and isn’t covered by funding.

  • Are they flexible with how you use your hours?

  • Will they support your child’s development and provide regular updates?

  • Do they provide care during half-term and summer holidays?

Know Your Options

Get your FREE Childcare Options PDF which will help you understand exactly how our service differs from alternative care options

Questions to consider

Questions to Consider

As you consider which childcare and funding options are best for your family, here are some helpful questions to reflect on:

  • Do you qualify for 15 or 30 hours based on your working status or benefits?

  • Would it help to stretch the hours over 51 weeks instead of 38?

  • Will you need to reconfirm your eligibility code every 3 months? (Yes, required by the government)

  • Do you need care for siblings with different entitlements?

  • What’s included in the provider’s offer? Are meals, nappies, or activities extra?

  • Will your provider support you in using more than one funding scheme, if eligible?

Once you’ve selected a childcare provider, you may want to ask further questions like:

  • Does the provider clearly explain what is and isn’t covered by funding.

  • Are they flexible with how you use your hours?

  • Will they support your child’s development and provide regular updates?

  • Do they provide care during half-term and summer holidays?

Know Your Options

Get your FREE Childcare Options PDF which will help you understand exactly how our service differs from alternative care options

Flexibility

One of the most valuable parts of choosing Naturally Curious is the ability to stretch your funded hours across the full year, helping you avoid gaps in coverage and manage your work schedule more smoothly.

As you evaluate your options, consider the following...

  • Can your funding be used for full-day or part-day care?

  • Will your hours cover care during holidays or breaks?

  • Does the setting allow for flexible sessions to suit your schedule?

  • Will your funding cover all your required hours, or will there be top-up fees?

  • How far in advance do you need to confirm your place or schedule?

Choosing the right childcare and funding setup takes time, but understanding your entitlements and options helps make the decision easier — and more cost-effective.

If you’d like to talk to us more about how we support 15- and 30-hour entitlements, how we stretch funding across 51 weeks, or whether your child qualifies, then please get in touch!

We’re here to help guide you through it all.

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