Help paying for your childcare
Government funding can dramatically reduce the cost of nursery. Here's everything you need to know - explained simply.
Not sure what you're entitled to?
Use the Government's official eligibility checker - it takes just a couple of minutes and tells you exactly what support you qualify for.
Your funding options
All of these schemes are accepted at Yarrells Nursery. From September 2025, eligible working parents of children from 9 months can access up to 30 hours per week.
30
hrs/week
FROM 9 MONTHS OLD TO SCHOOL AGE · WORKING PARENTS
30 hours funded childcare for working parents
Since September 2025, eligible working parents can claim 30 funded hours per week from when their child is 9 months old - right through until they start school. This is the most significant funding available and applies across all age groups at Yarrells Nursery.
TOTAL FUNDED HOURS
30 hours/week · 38 weeks/year (1,140 hours total) — or stretched over 50 weeks
Both parents (or sole parent) working at least 16 hrs/week at National Minimum Wage, each earning under £100,000/year
WHO QUALIFIES?
Under 2s: £10.49/hr
2 yr olds: £7.77/hr
3–4 yr olds: £5.94/hr
YARRELLS RATE
Create a Government Gateway childcare account on GOV.UK - you'll receive an 11-digit code to give to Yarrells. Reconfirm every 3 months.
HOW TO APPLY
You can apply from when your child is 23 weeks old. Funding starts the term after your child turns 9 months. Can be combined with Tax-Free Childcare for any additional hours.
15
hrs/week
AGE 3 & 4 · ALL FAMILIES - NO INCOME TEST
Universal 15 hours for 3 & 4 year olds
Every child aged 3 or 4 in England is entitled to 15 funded hours per week, regardless of income, employment status, or family circumstances. This starts automatically the term after their third birthday.
15 hours/week · 38 weeks/year (570 hours total) — or stretched over 50 weeks
TOTAL FUNDED HOURS
WHO QUALIFIES?
Every 3 and 4 year old in England.
YARRELLS RATE
ALSO ACCEPTED IN RECEPTION
£5.94/hour
Funding continues at Yarrells until the term after your child turns 5
If you are a working parent, you may be eligible for an additional 15 hours on top of this (see the 30-hours card above). The two combine to give you 30 hours in total.
15
hrs/week
AGE 2 YEARS · FAMILIES RECEIVING ADDITIONAL SUPPORT
15 hours for disadvantaged 2 year olds
Families of 2 year olds who receive certain benefits may qualify for 15 funded hours per week under a separate scheme. This is different from the working-parent 30-hour entitlement — it's aimed at children who would most benefit from early education.
TOTAL FUNDED HOURS
15 hours/week · 38 weeks/year (570 hours total) — or stretched over more weeks
Families on Universal Credit (household income under £15,400/yr) · children in care · children with an EHCP · children with DLA
WHO QUALIFIES?
YARRELLS RATE
£7.77/hour
HOW TO APPLY
Contact Dorset Council directly - not through the GOV.UK childcare account system
Note: if you are a working parent of a 2 year old, you are more likely eligible for 30 hours under the working-parent entitlement above. Check your eligibility using the tool at the top of this page.
20%
off fees
ALL AGES UP TO 12
Tax-Free Childcare — save 20% on your fees
The government contributes to a childcare account that you use to pay Yarrells: for every £8 you pay in, the government adds £2. That's an effective 20% discount on all childcare costs, including any hours beyond your funded entitlement.
MAXIMUM SAVING
Up to £500 per quarter (£2,000/year) · Up to £1,000/quarter if child is disabled
Working parents, each earning at least the equivalent of 16 hrs/week at National Minimum Wage, each earning under £100,000/year
WHO QUALIFIES?
HOW TO USE
Open a childcare account on GOV.UK, pay in, and then pay Yarrells from that account
CAN BE COMBINED WITH
30-hours funded childcare — use Tax-Free Childcare to pay for any additional hours beyond your entitlement
You cannot use Tax-Free Childcare and childcare vouchers at the same time - check which saves your family more. Tax-Free Childcare cannot be used to pay for lunches at Yarrells.
via employer
EXISTING USERS ONLY · VIA EMPLOYER
Employer Childcare Vouchers
Eligible working families can double their funded hours to 30 per week, a significant saving. You can also claim Tax-Free Childcare at the same time.
WHO CAN USE THESE?
Parents already enrolled in an employer scheme before October 2018. Schemes closed to new entrants.
SAVING
Exempt from tax and National Insurance — saving varies by salary and tax band
AT YARRELLS
Accepted until the term after your child's 5th birthday. Cannot be used to pay for lunches.
CANNOT BE COMBINED WITH
Tax-Free Childcare - you must choose one or the other
If you are currently using vouchers, it is worth comparing them to Tax-Free Childcare - for many families Tax-Free Childcare now offers a better saving.
Stretched funding
Spread your hours across the whole year
Because Yarrells offers all-year-round care, we can spread your funded hours across more weeks so that you benefit from them consistently, rather than only during term time.
15 HOURS · STRETCHED OVER 50 WEEKS
Standard entitlement: 15 hrs/week x 38 weeks
Total hours in the year: 570 hours
Stretched weekly hours: 11 hrs/week*
* weekly hours will adjust each term depending on hour many hours are in the term
30 HOURS · STRETCHED OVER 50 WEEKS
Standard entitlement: 30 hrs/week x 38 weeks
Total hours in the year: 1,140 hours
Stretched weekly hours: 22 hrs/week*
* weekly hours will adjust each term depending on hour many hours are in the term
Why is stretched funding better for all-year-round families?
Term-time-only funding means your funded hours stop in the school holidays, so you'd pay full fees during those weeks. With stretched funding, the same total hours are simply spread more evenly - your child attends consistently and your monthly costs are more predictable. The total number of funded hours is exactly the same either way. Please speak to our Admissions team about how we apply stretched funding at Yarrells.
What Yarrells accepts
Early Years Funding
For eligible children in Nursery and Reception (until they turn 5)
Tax-Free Childcare
Accepted until the term after your child's 5th birthday. Cannot be used for lunches.
Childcare Vouchers
Employer-issued vouchers accepted until the term after your child's 5th birthday.
Stretched Funding
Ask us about spreading your funded hours across the full year — ideal for all-year-round families
Funding rates shown on this page are Yarrells' locally agreed rates for Dorset (April 2026–March 2027). Rates are set by the local authority and may differ from national averages.
See our Funding Rates document for the current confirmed rates and funded weeks.
How to claim your funded hours
- step by step
-
Visit childcarechoices.gov.uk to find out which schemes you qualify for, the tool takes about 2 minutes.
-
For 30-hour funding and Tax-Free Childcare, you'll need a Government Gateway account.
Visit childcarechoices.gov.uk to get started.
You can apply from when your child is 23 weeks old.
-
Once approved, you'll receive a unique code. You will need this number to add onto your Funding Loop form and Parental Agreement Funding Form. These will be sent to you before your child’s start date.
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If your child attends all year round, ask us about spreading your hours across the full year. We'll explain how many weekly funded hours that gives you and how it works on your invoice.
-
Your eligibility must be reconfirmed each quarter via your GOV.UK account. You'll get a reminder — don't miss it, or your funding will pause.
You will be sent a new Parental Agreement Form and Funding Loop Form each term. -
Yarrells will apply the funded hours to your monthly invoice. Any additional hours are charged at our normal session rates.
Useful downloads & links
Funding Rates
& Weeks
Funding Accessibility Policy
Best Start
in Life
Funding Eligibility Checker
Nursery Fees
& Sessions
Have a question about funding?
Our Admissions team is happy to help you understand exactly what you're entitled to and how it applies to your sessions at Yarrells.
