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.beststartinlife.gov.uk/eligibility-checker/ 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 the equivalent of 16 hours a week at the National Minimum or Living Wage each
- Not receiving 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
Universal credit for childcare (for children aged 0-16)
- For working families claiming Universal Credit
- 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.beststartinlife.gov.uk/eligibility-checker/ 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 and how many hours we can use each week for your child during term time.
Working Families 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 when your child turns 9 months old. Once your child turns 2, you can enrol them for sessions and use the funding during term time at Over the Rainbow. This funding can be used for any sessions during the day (subject to places being available) so you could use it to cover breakfast or after school club hours if needed as well as Preschool sessions.
To check eligibility and to apply for the 30 hours entitlement please go to the Government Application Portal. If successful, you will be issued with an eligibility code. There are deadlines to be met in order to get a code, so make sure you apply in good time before the end of the term before you need to use the funded hours.
Once you have received the code, you will need to complete a funding declaration form and include this eligibility code in order to use the 30 hours childcare for your child here at Over the Rainbow. You will need to re-confirm your eligibility on the Government Portal every three months for the code to remain valid.
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-extra-support . The funding criteria includes children who:
- have parents/carers in receipt of certain benefits
- are looked after by a local authority
- have 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
Study Support
Some families might be eligible to apply for extra financial help to pay for childcare costs if they are studying. Visit the following Government page for more information: https://www.gov.uk/help-with-childcare-costs/support-while-you-study .