Understanding Childcare
Funding at Priesthills
Childcare funding at Priesthills
At Priesthills, children are at the heart of everything we do, and that includes supporting parents through the often confusing world of government funding. We know that navigating what you’re entitled to can be tricky, especially if it’s your first time.
Our goal is to make things as clear and stress-free as possible so you can focus on what really matters: watching your child grow, learn, and thrive.
Funded Places in Early Years Education
Expanded Support For Working Parents (9 months–4 years)
From September 2025 the government’s Free Childcare for Working Parents scheme means eligible working parents of children aged from 9 months up to school age can access up to 30 hours of funded childcare per week (usually taken as 38 weeks per year, or stretched with your provider). See GOV.UK
Two-Year-Old and 15-hour Entitlements
Some two-year-olds (and some three-year-olds who do not qualify for working-parent funding) will continue to receive the existing 15-hour funded entitlement if they meet the eligibility criteria for the ‘additional support’ routes (for example, certain low-income or benefit-related criteria).
If you’re unsure which scheme you or your child qualify for, we can help you check — or you can use the government/Best Start in Life eligibility tools.
Funded Early Learning for 3 and 4-Year-Olds
All 3 and 4-year-olds in England are entitled to 15 hours of funded early education per week, totaling 570 hours per year. Eligible working parents can access up to 30 hours of funded childcare per week, equating to 1,140 hours annually, which can be used across participating nurseries and early years settings.
How Funding
Works at Priesthills
At Priesthills Nursery, we want families to understand exactly how funding is applied. Here’s a simple overview of how it works with us:
Government funding is paid during term time only (38 weeks per year), but we ‘stretch’ it across the full year (52 weeks) to give you consistent support.
The number of hours you receive depends on when your child starts, as Leicestershire County Council allows funding to be stretched only from your start date to the end of the school year.
The later you start, the fewer hours you’ll be entitled to until the next September.
Funding covers the basic EYFS provision; you’ll just pay a small daily charge for extras like meals, snacks, drinks, and activities that make your child’s experience so special at Priesthills.
Get Your Free
Funding Guide
Every family’s circumstances are different, and your total weekly cost depends on your child’s age, sessions, and start date. For a full breakdown of what’s covered within funding sessions and the funding you are entitled to, please download our PDF guide!
Your Entitlement
All families are entitled to 15 hours of funded childcare from the term after their child turns three, with many eligible for 30 hours per week.
When stretched across the year, this works out as:
Starting in September: around 21.92 hours per week (30-hour entitlement)
Starting in January: around 20.29 hours per week
Starting in April: around 17.14 hours per week
If your child joins on another date, we’ll calculate your exact entitlement individually.
Got Funding Questions?
We're Here To Help
Fill in the form below and our friendly team will get back to you with clear, personalised guidance on what funding you’re entitled to and how it works at Priesthills.