You may be eligible for free Early Years education.

The Government now offers two types of funding for eligible children.

If your child is eligible, you can start claiming after they turn 2. The date you can claim will depend on when their birthday is:

Child’s birthday When you can claim
1st January – 31st March The beginning of term on or after 1st April
1st April – 31st August The beginning of term on or after 1st September
1st September – 31st December The beginning of term on or after 1st January

15 Hours Childcare for working parents

To qualify for this funding, You, and any partner, must each expect to earn (on average) at least £183 per week (equal to 16 hours at the National Minimum or Living 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.

You will not be eligible if you, or your partner, each individually expect to earn £100,000 adjusted net income or more.

To find out whether you are eligible for funding, and to apply for an eligibility code, please visit www.ChildcareChoices.gov.uk

15 Hours Childcare for families receiving some additional forms of government support

To qualify for this funding for your 2-year-old, you must receive one of the following:

  • Income Support
  • Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
  • Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
  • Support through part 6 of the Immigration and Asylum Act
  • The guaranteed element of State Pension Credit
  • The Working Tax Credit four-week run-on (the payment you receive when you stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit)
  • Working Tax Credit / Child Tax Credit / Universal Credit and have a household income of £16,190 a year or less

Children are also entitled to a funded place if:

  • They’re looked after by a local council
  • They have a statement of special education needs (SEN) or an education health and care plan (EHCP)
  • They get Disability Living Allowance
  • They have at some point been in care under a special guardianship order, child arrangements order or adoption order

For children who attend LEYF nurseries term-time only, our term dates closely follow those of local schools.

Your nursery cannot issue the funding for 2-year-olds, you must apply for it through your local authority. For more information, take a look on the Government website. 

The way we offer free places at LEYF varies across our nurseries. If you would like to find out more about the free hours available, please contact your local nursery.

For children who attend LEYF nurseries term-time only, our term dates closely follow those of local schools.

For children attending all year round, our stretch terms cover roughly one third of the year each.

Your nursery cannot issue the funding for 2-year-olds, you must apply for it through your local authority. For more information, take a look on the Government website. 

Fee structure

LEYF's social enterprise model means we can offer both fee-paying and Government-funded places.

Staff and children learning how to count

Funded places

As a registered charity and social enterprise, we offer high quality childcare at the most competitive and affordable rates.

Staff playing in the sand outside with the children in the garden

Find your nursery

Find the LEYF nursery that's right for you and your child.