Nursery Funding at Footsteps
At Footsteps, we aim to make funding as straightforward as possible for families. We offer a range of funding options for children aged 9 months to 4 years, based on eligibility criteria and requirements set by HMRC and local County Councils.
Universal Funding for 3 & 4 Year-Olds
All 3 & 4 year-olds are eligible for 15 hours of universal funding from the term after they turn 3 years old.
Third birthday between: Eligible from:
1st April – 31st August Autumn term, starting in September
1st September – 31st December Spring term, starting in January
1st January – 31st March Summer term, starting in April
We can apply for this funding on your behalf without any additional codes; all we require is a completed Parent Declaration Form and a form of ID for your child.
30 Hours Funding for 3 & 4 Year-Olds
Families may also qualify for 30 hours of funding for 3 & 4 year-olds if:
- Both parents (or a single parent in a single-parent household) are in work.
- A valid code is obtained from the HMRC website and provided to us.
15 Hours Funding for 2 Year-Olds
All 2 year-olds may be eligible for 15 hours of funding, depending on specific criteria:
- Disadvantaged 2 Year-Olds
Eligibility is determined by the local County Council, which will issue a unique code. Parents must provide this code to us. - Working parents of 2 Year-Olds
Parents must obtain a code from HMRC, using the same process as for 30 hour funding.
15 Hours Funding for 9 Months +
Families with children aged 9 months and older may be eligible for 15 hours of funding, but this is only available for working parents. Eligibility starts the term after your child turns 9 months old. Parents need to obtain a valid code from HMRC.
Please note: In Hertfordshire, an NHS number is also required for 9 month-old funding applications.
Tax-Free Childcare
Tax-Free Childcare is an additional scheme that can help reduce childcare costs for families by up to £2,000 per year. For more information and to apply, visit the HMRC Tax-Free Childcare page.
Your application
We aim to make accessing funding as easy as possible:
What you need to do:
- Complete a Parent Declaration Form which will be kept on file.
- Provide a form of ID for your child.
- Supply us with all relevant codes (if applicable) before funding can begin.
What we will do:
- Apply for funding on your behalf.
- Process all the necessary paperwork to ensure funding is secured.
Note: We can only apply for universal 15 hours of funding for 3 years + without a code.
How Funding Works
Funding can be accessed term-time only (38 weeks), except during the Christmas break. We offer:
- 15 hours or 30 hours of free childcare, depending on your eligibility.
- Flexible options to fit your schedule.
For more details or to discuss your child’s eligibility, please speak to a member of our management team.
To book a visit or for more information about our locations in Bierton, Chalfont St Peter, Watermead, Maple Cross, Farnborough, Oving, and Leighton Buzzard, please contact us directly.