Funding | Cub, The Modern Nursery

Funded early years education at Cub.

Working parent entitlement

In 2023, the government announced that working parents would be able to access 30 hours of subsidised childcare per week, for 38 weeks of the year, from when their child is 9 months old to when they start school. This is being rolled out in stages:

From April 2024, working parents of 2-year-olds were able to access 15 hours funded childcare per week.

From September 2024, working parents of children aged 9 months up to four years old can access 15 hours funded per week.

From September 2025, working parents of children aged 9 months up to four years old can access 30 hours funded childcare per week.

If you have a 3- or 4-year-old child you will be entitled to receive up to 15 hours of childcare a week, regardless of your financial circumstances and immigration status. If you and any partner you live with are working, you may be entitled to receive an additional 15 hours, totalling up to 30 hours.

This is known as the working parent entitlement.

Is our family eligible?

Working parents in England who each earn the equivalent of at least 16 hours per week at the National Minimum Wage are eligible. Eligibility is calculated on an individual basis rather than by household. You can earn up to £100,000 adjusted net income per year and be eligible. If you have a partner who lives with you, they must also earn between these two amounts. You can find more about how your eligibility is calculated here.

When can I use the entitlement from?

You can start using your entitlement from the term after your child turns the relevant age to use that entitlement.

When your child turns the relevant age	When they can get their hours from
1 January to 31 March	Term starting on or after 1 April
1 April to 31 August	Term starting on or after 1 September
1 September to 31 December	Term starting on or after 1 January

If you’re not working when your child turns the relevant age for the working parent entitlement, you may have to wait until the term after you start working to be eligible.

How do I apply?

If you already pay your nursery fees via Tax-Free Childcare, you can apply through your existing Government Gateway Account. If you do not yet have an account, you will need to set one up.

When do I need to apply by?

The deadline is the day before the new term begins, but we encourage you to apply earlier and recommend applying at least 6 weeks before the deadline.

The deadlines are:

When you would like to use your entitlements from	The deadline to apply for a code
1 January	31 December
1 April	31 March
1 September	31 August

If you do not apply by the deadline, you will not be able to take up your entitlements in that term.

Reconfirming your eligibility

You need to log into your childcare account every 3 months to reconfirm that your details are up to date and that you remain eligible for the childcare entitlements for working parents and/or Tax-Free Childcare.

How long does reconfirmation usually take?

In most cases, reconfirmation should only take a few minutes, but it may take longer if you need to provide further information.

Will I be reminded to reconfirm my details?

Yes, you will receive a reminder:

when your reconfirmation window opens
a week before your reconfirmation deadline
and on your reconfirmation deadline.

This message will come from HMRC. Please remember to make sure that your details are up to date.

How does it work at Cub?

Unfortunately, the funding we receive from the government does not cover consumables such as food, snacks and nappies, or the extra- curricular activities we offer at Cub. This means that an additional charge is applied by Cub for every funded hour claimed, as detailed in the following fee sheets:

Headingley
Wetherby

The funding covers 38 weeks of the 51 weeks that we are open, and so we annualise the funding in the same way that we charge our fees – to give parents a set and predictable monthly invoice.

What does Cub need from you?

You are required by the North Yorkshire local authority to:

Provide evidence of your child’s date of birth (usually their birth certificate)
Complete a Parent-Provider Agreement which includes your child’s details, your eligibility code, your national insurance numbers, and dates of birth. These will be emailed to you, and paper copies are available in the nursery reception.