Free childcare entitlement for early years

30 hours’ free childcare for 3 and 4 year olds

Parents will be able to access 30 free hours of childcare per week if they meet the criteria.  This works out at 1,140 hours of free childcare over a year, which can be spread over 52 weeks a year or during term time only, or any combination that works for you.

Am I eligible?

• all parents (whether two-parent family or lone parent) are working and earning the equivalent of 16 hours a week (you do not have to actually work 16 hours a week) at the national minimum wage or living wage (includes income received from tax credits or universal credit);
• one/both parents is away on leave (maternity, paternity etc);
• one/both parents is on statutory sick pay;
• includes zero hours contracts and self-employed;
• one parent is employed and the other parent has either: substantial caring responsibilities, and/or disability, is a foster carer with their own 3 and 4 year old children;
• income cap of £100,000 for either parent;
• parents who are in training will not be eligible.

You can check your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk

Here at St Matthew’s, we can now offer the full 30 hours in our teacher-led nursery class for 38 weeks of the year (during term time). We also offer wrap around childcare through our breakfast club from 7.45am and our after school rainbow club 3.20pm - 5.30pm for further information click here