Funding at Little Bunnies
How Government Funding Works – April 2025
It not easy understanding how the early years funding works, but we can help!
There are two government funding programmes, and your child could be entitled to 15 or 30 funded hours per week of Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEF) – depending on your circumstances.
1. Working family funded childcare
This is available to qualifying working parents, with the available hours and age which are accessible changing: –
- 3+ year olds funded hours can receive 30 hours of funded childcare
- 15 hours of funded childcare are available for children aged 9 months +
From September 2025 families can receive 30 hours funded childcare from 9 + months. Funded hours are provided over 38 weeks during term time only and as a couple, you will need to apply for them as together.
Parents will need to be:
- Working at least 16 hours a week
- Can be on sick or parental leave
- Be earning less than £100,000 a year
- Might be eligible if you are claiming benefits
At Little Bunnies, we are open 50 weeks of the year and will ‘stetch’ the funded hours, giving you 22.8 funded hours per week.
2. Universal funded childcare for 3 year olds
This funding goes towards 15 hours of childcare across 38 weeks of term time. All parents of 3 & 4 year olds can access this scheme.
What you need to know:
- All 3 & 4 year olds qualify for this scheme
- At Little Bunnies we “stretch” these hours over 50 weeks for more flexibility.
- Parents usually require their child to spend longer in the nursery than the stretched hours, therefore we offer additional non-funded hours to fit your work schedule – see our fees
- You might also be eligible for 15 hours’ funded childcare at the same time as other government schemes or incentives. To find out more visit – gov.uk/browse/benefits
