There are a number of ways all parents/carers can get help for paying the cost of their childcare for children of all ages. The following Government schemes can be used to cover some of the cost of childcare including our breakfast club, after school club and holiday club provision, as well as our Early Years provision fees. To find out more about each scheme, the eligibility criteria, and how it could benefit you, please go to https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/ for further information. A brief overview of the schemes available are below (we are registered as Dunnington Children for all childcare voucher/tax free childcare schemes):
Tax Free Childcare (for children aged 0-11) – You could get up to £2000 per child each year!
- For working families, including the self-employed, in the UK
- Earning under £100k and at least £142 per week (equal to 16 hours at the National Minimum or Living Wage) each
- Who aren’t receiving Tax Credits, Universal Credit or childcare vouchers
- With children aged 0-11 (or 0-16 if disabled)
- For every £8 you pay into an online account, the government will add an extra £2, up to £2,000 per child per year, which is paid directly to Over the Rainbow
Tax Credits for childcare (for children aged 0-15)
- For working families, in the UK
- With children under 16 (or under 17 if disabled)
- 70% of childcare costs, up to a cap
- If you cannot make a new claim for Tax Credits, you may be able to apply for Universal Credit instead.
Universal credit for childcare (for children aged 0-16)
- For working families claiming Universal Credit, in England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales
- With children under 17*
- Up to 85% of eligible childcare costs
- Who aren’t receiving Tax-Free Childcare
To find the right offer for you, please visit https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/ and enter a few details to check eligibility and to see which scheme could benefit you and your family.
Childcare Vouchers
Due to the introduction of the schemes outlines above, the Government closed the Childcare Voucher Scheme to new applicants on 4th October 2018. However, if you were signed up to the scheme before this date, then we can accept childcare vouchers from a wide range of providers. If you are unsure if your company childcare voucher scheme is accepted, please get in touch with the Setting and we can provide you with further information.
We are registered as Dunnington Children for childcare voucher schemes. If you require any further information, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.
Early Years funding
3 & 4 year old funding universal entitlement – 15 hours a week
Every child in England is entitled to 15 hours funding a week for childcare from the term after their 3rd birthday, regardless of family circumstances. This can be used until they start School. You can choose which days and times you would like to use the funding (subject to availability of places) but we only offer funded places in term time. As this is a universal offer, you do not need to apply to get the funding. You only need to sign a funding declaration form confirming you are happy for Over the Rainbow to claim the funding for your child.
3 & 4 year old funding extended entitlement – 30 hours a week
Working families in England, who meet certain criteria, will be entitled to 30 hours funding a week, from the term after your child turns three, which can be used during term time at Over the Rainbow. Again, this funding can be used for any sessions during the day so you could use it to cover breakfast or after school club hours if needed. To check eligibility and to apply for the 30 hours entitlement please go to https://www.gov.uk/apply-30-hours-free-childcare. If successful, you will be issued with a code which we would need in order to apply for the 30 hours childcare for your child. We would also ask you to sign a funding declaration form confirming that you are happy for Over the Rainbow to claim the funding for your child. You will need to re-confirm your eligibility every three months for the code to remain valid.
Two year old funding entitlement – 15 hours a week for working families
From April 2024, the Government have introduced 15 hours a week funding for working families that meet certain eligibility criteria. If you are eligible for Tax Free Childcare, your two year old will be entitled to 15 hours funding from the term after they turn two years old. Please visit Childcare Choices for more information around eligibility and how to apply.
Two year old funding entitlement – 15 hours a week for families receiving some additional forms of Government support
At Over the Rainbow we pride ourselves in offering the highest standards of care for all children. In order to give children the best start in their early years education, some families will be eligible for 2 year old funding which can be claimed at Over the Rainbow. To view the full list of criteria, to check your eligibility and to apply for two year old funding please visit https://www.gov.uk/help-with-childcare-costs/free-childcare-2-year-olds . The funding criteria includes children who:
- have parents/carers in receipt of certain benefits
- are looked after by a local authority
- have a statement of special education needs (SEN) or an education, health and care (EHC) plan
- get Disability Living Allowance
- have left care under an adoption order, special guardianship order or a child arrangements order