Funded childcare is financial support from the government which allows families to access childcare.
Funded childcare includes:
- a funded childcare place of 15 or 30 hours
- additional childcare schemes to help you with your childcare costs.
This support can be accessed from registered early years childcare providers, who have been checked by the government to ensure that they are suitable to look after and educate children. The main government department to check childcare providers is 'Ofsted' who is the Office for Standards in Children's Services, Education and Skills.
Registered childcare providers include:
- childminders
- childcare on domestic premises (for example, a group of childminders)
- day nurseries
- pre schools
- nursery schools
- nursery classes
It is important to note that:
Childcare providers have a choice to sign up to schemes
Individual providers have the choice to sign up to government childcare schemes. The good news is most childcare providers in H&F have signed up to some or all childcare schemes.
Childcare providers must meet requirements
Providers must meet national and local requirements to provide funded childcare places. This includes having a 'Good' or 'Outstanding' Ofsted rating.
If a provider receives a low inspection rating whilst your child is attending with them, you will be informed, and the provider will be closely monitored and receive additional support from the council.
Providers that do not offer funded childcare places in H&F
These providers are:
- Nannies
- Au pairs
- Creches
- Children's centres
However, you may be able to get help to reduce your childcare costs with these providers if they have registered with Ofsted as a childcare provider.
See Get help paying for approved childcare on the GOV.UK website
Find out what financial help you could be entitled to
To find out what financial help is available to working parents, parents receiving government support and to students see Help with childcare costs.