30 HOURS FUNDING
We are delighted to announce that from September 2023 we can offer 30 hour provision for working parents of three and four year olds.
The government funds the extension of free childcare to support parents who currently work, wish to return to work or to increase their working hours, by making childcare more affordable. The 30 hours extended entitlement is double the pre 2017 provision for working parents of all 3 and 4 year olds and double the standard 15 hours entitlement for families who do not qualify for the extended hours.
Eligibility:
To be able to access 30 hours both parents need to be working (or the sole parent is working in a lone parent family), and;
- Each parent earns on average, a weekly minimum equivalent to 16 hours at National Minimum Wage or National Living Wage
- Earns less than £100,000 per year (when one parent in a household has an income of £100,000 or more, that family will not be eligible to take up the extra free hours).
‘Working’ means both employed and self-employed persons may be eligible.
You do not need to actually work 16 hours a week, but your earnings must reflect at least 16 hours of work at National Minimum Wage or National Living Wage.
Families may also be eligible where one parent gets benefits relating to caring responsibilities or a disability and the other parent is working.
The standard entitlement of 15 hours per week for 38 weeks will still be available even if you aren’t eligible for the additional entitlement.
Eligibility checking can be accessed via the HMRC website:
https://www.gov.uk/30-hours-free-childcare
From January 2026, due to changes in Government Guidance regarding funded hours and additional charges, the following attendance patterns will be available to children in our school nursery: –
For children entitled to 15 hours funding;
Morning sessions 8:30am-11:30am 5 days per week
or
Afternoon sessions 12:15pm-3:15pm 5 days per week
At Junction Farm, our core 30hr offer is as follows:
Full day session 8:30am-2:30pm 5 days per week (including 45 min lunch period).
or
Extended day session 8:30am-3:15pm 5 days per week (including 45 min lunch club). As the lunch period is over and above the 30hr funding, this carries a £3 per day surcharge for 2:30pm – 3:15pm, which can be paid via an invoice in your child’s Arbor account.
Children will be given the option to have a school lunch for £3.00 or bring a packed lunch daily.
Parents who are only eligible for 15 hours but would like a 30 hours place can purchase the additional sessions (15 hours) at £5.40 per hour.
If you require more information on 30 Hours Childcare, you can visit Stockton’s information page 30 Hours Childcare | Stockton Information Directory. If you would like to speak to someone in school about the provision please contact the school Office on info@junctionfarm.org.uk or by calling 01642 781586.
