Childcare funding

Information about funding available for childcare.

Universal 15 hours Free Early Years Places for 3 & 4 Year Olds

All eligible 3 and 4 year olds are entitled to 15 hours of free early year’s provision per week for 38 weeks per year (570 hours per year). Please visit the R&C Information Directory to find out if your child is eligible for a place.

Free Childcare for 2 year olds

We have information and advice about free nursery education places for 2 year olds.

We process all applications which can be done by following this link to our PIN website 2YO FNE Online Applications or you can freephone 01642 444532 to discuss eligibility criteria or where to take/use the hours.

Funded Childcare for Working Families

From April 2024 working families can apply for 15 hours funding for 2 year olds for up to 38 weeks per year.

  • You, and any partner, must each expect to earn (on average) the equivalent of working 16 hours a week at your national minimum wage (National Living Wage, less if you are on the National Minimum Wage)
  • If you, or your partner, are on maternity, paternity or adoption leave, or you're unable to work because you are disabled or have caring responsibilities, you could still be eligible.
  • Your child can start in their childcare place the term after they turn 2 years old and have received a valid 30 hours code, whichever is later. Term start dates are 1st September, 1stJanuary and 1st April.
  • To keep your 2 year old funded place you need to check your details are up to date every 3 months.

Apply online at www.childcarechoices.gov.uk  

30 hours for 3 and 4yo (extended 15 hours funded for working parents)

30 hours free childcare has launched for working parents of children aged 3 and 4 years old. 

Parents must each expect to earn at least £152 a week (equal to 16 hours at the National Minimum or Living Wage for those aged over 22) with an earning cap of £100,000 per individual.

If you or your partner are on maternity, paternity, adoption leave or statutory​ sick pay, or you are unable to work because you are disabled or have substantial caring responsibilities, then you may still be eligible. 

Parents need to apply and have their code validated before the end of each term to qualify for the following term.

The 30 hours entitlement can be split amongst providers (school nursery/childminder/day nursery) as long as no more than 2 providers are used each day.

Working Tax Credits 

Parents and carers can also get help with childcare costs through the childcare element of working tax credits.

Please visit the gov.uk website for further information about tax credits and childcare.

Tax Free Childcare

You can get up to £500 every 3 months (up to £2,000 a year) for each of your children to help with the costs of childcare. This goes up to £1,000 every 3 months if a child is disabled (up to £4,000 a year).

If you get Tax-Free Childcare, you’ll set up an online childcare account for your child. For every £8 you pay into this account, the government will pay in £2 to use to pay your provider.

You can get Tax-Free Childcare at the same time as 30 hours free childcare if you’re eligible for both.

Please visit the gov.uk website for more information about Tax-Free Childcare.

Child Benefit

Claim Child Benefit as soon as your child is born or comes to live with you. Child Benefit can be backdated for up to 3 months - make your claim as soon as possible.

New Provider Agreement 

A new provider agreement has been created for Redcar and Cleveland childcare providers following the expansion of childcare entitlements beginning April 2024.