Government Funding @ Canopy Nurseries

Canopy Nurseries are delighted to support parents with the provision of funded childcare places
across our nurseries.

Many working parents are now entitled to funded childcare and this information will help to answer your questions and to take the next steps towards accessing this funding for your child.

Am I eligible for funded childcare?

If you and your partner each earn between £2,380 over the next 3 months and £100,000 in the current tax year then you are likely to be eligible.

To check the full eligibility criteria go to:

Find out more

How many hours of funded childcare is my child entitled to?

This depends upon your child’s age:

If your child is between 9 months and 2 years old, you may be entitled to 15 hours per week for 38 weeks per year. From September 2025 this will be extended to 30 hours for eligible families.

If your child is 3 to 4 years old then they are entitled to universal 15 hours and may be entitled to 30 hours per week for 38 weeks per year.

Use this calculator to find out exactly how many hours of funded childcare you are entitled to:

Find out more

How do I apply for my funded childcare?

You apply by clicking the ‘Start Now’ link on the following Government website:

https://www.gov.uk/apply-free-childcare-if-youre-working

It will take approximately 20 minutes to complete the application and can take up to 7 days to find out if you are eligible.

If you are entitled to 15hrs or 30hrs funding for your child you will be given an 11 digit authorisation code to provide to your childcare provider.

Please note that childcare providers must be approved Ofsted registered providers.

How often do I have to repeat this process?

You have to reconfirm your eligibility every 3 months . If you apply more than 3 months before the term starts, you’ll have to reconfirm your eligibility in your account to keep your code valid.

Do Canopy Nurseries provide funded childcare places?

Canopy Children’s Nurseries currently have funded places available for eligible parents.

Please note that we have strict limits on the number of children we can accommodate in each nursery room at any one time so when places are filled in each room on each day, we are unable to accept additional applications.

Please contact each Canopy Nursery for their current availability (see below).

Are there any costs associated with a funded childcare place at Canopy Nurseries?

A service charge is usually applicable for consumables and provisions not covered by the funding such as:

Up to 3 meals per day
Fresh fruit and snacks
Outside activity providers
Administration of the claims process

Any hours outside of the eligible hours are chargeable at the full nursery rate.

How much are the service charges?

Further details regarding the service charges for funded sessions for all ages are available from the individual Canopy Nurseries, please contact each Canopy Nursery for their fee information (see below).