Funding

We are often asked questions about “nursery funded hours” and it is useful to be aware of what financial help is available to fund your child’s nursery place. Please see below details of the assistance which may be available to you, our staff will be happy to discuss these in more detail if you wish.

30 Hours of Free Childcare for 38 Weeks Per Year

We are pleased to announce that the Fountain of Knowledge Montessori will be offering the Extended Entitlement of funded childcare for all eligible families, starting from 1st September 2025.

All children from the age of 9 months in England currently receive up to 30 hours a week for 38 weeks of government funded early education, which offers a massive saving!

If eligible, you will be entitled to access the funded hours.

If your child turns 9 months old between…  You can access the working parent entitlement from the…
1 January to 31 March Term starting on or after 1 April
1 April to 31 August Term starting on or after 1 September
1 September to 31 December Term starting on or after 1 January

The funded hours are also available over 51 weeks of the year and you can claim them in 5 hour sessions or up to 10 hours in any one day for the maximum of 22 hours per week. Please contact us to find out more.

To see, if as a family, you are eligible to claim these hours, please visit the government’s eligibility checker which is now live at https://www.beststartinlife.gov.uk  or https://www.gov.uk/childcare-calculator

Government funding does not cover

  • meals
  • nappies
  • additional hours
  • additional activities.

Please see our attached Fees list.

Tax Free Childcare

For eligible working parents who can get a £2 top-up for every £8 towards the cost of their childcare.

To be eligible for Tax-Free Childcare, you, and your partner (if you have one), must:

  • be at least 16 years old
  • be in the UK, or treated as being in the UK
  • be responsible for the child you are applying for
  • be in qualifying paid work, which can include being:
    • self-employed
    • on shared parental, maternity, paternity, or adoption leave
    • on sick leave or annual leave
  • expect to earn on average at least a weekly amount equivalent to 16 hours a week at the National Minimum Wage or National Living Wage over the next 3 months
  • not have adjusted net income of more than £100,000 per year
  • not be in receipt of:
    • Universal Credit
    • Childcare Vouchers 

Childcare vouchers is a scheme some employers offer to help working parents save on registered childcare costs.  We accept childcare vouchers from several schemes.

Tax Credits (child benefit)

Nine out of 10 families are eligible for some financial assistance through the Child Tax Credit and Working Tax Credit. The amount you receive will depend on your circumstances. Working Tax Credit includes a childcare element to help families who are working and spending money on childcare.