Fees

8:30 – 11:30 - from £16.50

11:30 – 12:30 - from £5.50

12:30 – 3:30 - from £16.50

Fees are to be paid monthly in advance, by cash, cheque or bank transfer.

Funding

15 hours free childcare for 2 year olds

Who can apply?

Your child might be eligible if you receive any of these benefits:

• Income Support

• Income based Jobseeker's Allowance

• Income based Employment and Support Allowance

• Working Tax Credit and earn £16,190 or less per year

• Child Tax Credit and earn £16,190 or less per year

• Universal Credit and earn £15,400 or less per year

• the guaranteed element of State Pension Credit

• support under part 6 of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999

Or if your child:

• is looked after by the local council

• has left care through special guardianship, adoption or residency order

• receives Disability Living Allowance (DLA)

• has an education, health and care (EHC) plan

What you will get

Your child can get up to 15 hours free childcare for 38 weeks of the year. Some childcare providers may allow you to use your free hours over more weeks by using fewer hours each week. Speak to your childcare provider to find out if you can spread the funding over more weeks.

You can use the 15 hours at more than one childcare provider.

When will the free childcare start?

If eligible, you can get 15 hours free childcare the term after your child's second birthday. This means it would start either in January, April or September.

Find the date you can apply from in this table:

Eligibility dates for 2 year old free childcare funding

Your child will continue to be eligible for 15 hours of free childcare for 3 and 4 year olds.

If you work, you could be eligible for up to 30 hours of free childcare the term after they turn 3.

What types of childcare can I use with the funding?

You can only use the free childcare for two year olds with registered or approved childcare providers who offer early education funding and are rated good or outstanding by Ofsted. This includes:

• childminders

• pre-schools, playgroups and nurseries

15 hours of free childcare for 3 and 4 year olds

Who is eligible?

All 3 and 4 year old children.

30 hours free childcare for 3 and 4 year olds

Who can apply?

All parents get up to 15 hours free childcare per week for 3 and 4 year olds.

You could get up to 30 hours free childcare in total if you and your partner (if you have one) work full or part-time hours.

You could still be eligible, even if you're on maternity, paternity or adoption leave, or if you're unable to work.

Check the full eligibility criteria to find out if you can claim.

What you will get

You can get up to 30 hours of free childcare for 38 weeks of the year. Some childcare providers may allow you to use your free hours over more weeks by using fewer hours each week. Speak to your chosen childcare provider to find out if you can spread the funding over more weeks.

Some providers may not offer 30 hours free childcare, or they may only be able to offer a few extra hours. This could be due to available places or their opening times.

You can use your free hours with more than one childcare provider.

When will the free childcare start?

You can get up to 30 hours free childcare the term after your child's third birthday if you're eligible and apply before the deadline. This means it would start either in January, April or September.

You can continue to claim the funding for free childcare until your child starts school. If you choose to defer your child's school place, you can continue to claim until your child reaches compulsory school age (the term following their fifth birthday).

When to apply

Find the date you can apply from in this table:

Eligibility dates for 3 and 4 year old free childcare funding

You can apply for free childcare funding for 3 and 4 year olds 16 weeks before your child's third birthday. We recommend you apply no more than 3 months before you're eligible to claim.

You must apply in good time to take your eligibility code to your childcare provider before the deadline. Many parents applying for 30 hours free childcare will get a reply straightaway to say if they're eligible. Some parents will need to provide more information for their application.

Link to Childcare funding options at Dorset for You: https://www.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/children-families/childcare/childcare-funding/childcare-funding-options.aspx