Childcare Funding at Home From Home

Understanding Your Childcare Funding Options in Surrey

Navigating childcare funding can feel overwhelming - but it doesn't have to be. At Home From Home, we're here to make sure every family understands the support available to them, and that you're accessing every penny you're entitled to.

All four of our Surrey nurseries are fully registered to offer government - funded childcare places, and our team is on hand to guide you through the process from start to finish.

Home From Home Nursery

Government - Funded Childcare - What's Available?

The government offers several funded childcare schemes for families in England, and from September 2025, eligibility expanded significantly. Depending on your child's age and your family's circumstances, you could be entitled to between 15 and 30 hours of funded childcare per week.

Here's a quick overview of who can benefit:

Families with children aged 9 months to 2 years

Working families may be eligible for up to 30 hours of funded childcare per week - a significant contribution towards the cost of your child's place at Home From Home.

Families with children aged 3 to 4 years

All families in England - regardless of employment status or household income - are entitled to 15 hours of funded early education per week from the term after their child's third birthday. Eligible working families can access an additional 15 hours on top of this.

Families with 2 - year - olds in receipt of certain benefits

If your household receives qualifying government support, your 2 - year - old may also be entitled to funded childcare hours. Our team can help you work out whether this applies to you.

Additional Financial Support

Beyond funded hours, there are other schemes that can help reduce the cost of childcare, including Tax-Free Childcare - a government top-up scheme that adds 20p for every 80p you contribute - and childcare support through Universal Credit for eligible working families.

Each scheme has its own eligibility criteria, and some cannot be used at the same time as others. That's why we've put together a comprehensive funding guide to help you understand your options clearly and make the best decision for your family.

Download Our Funding Guide

We've created a straightforward, easy-to-read funding guide that explains every government scheme available to Home From Home families - including how to apply, when funding starts, and how to make your hours go further.

childcare funding guide

Inside the guide, you'll find:

  • A clear, up-to-date breakdown of every funded childcare scheme available

  • A step-by-step application walkthrough

  • Information on Tax - Free Childcare and Universal Credit support

  • Details on how we stretch funded hours across the year for maximum flexibility

  • A handy documents checklist so you're prepared before you apply

How Home From Home Handles Funded Places

At Home From Home, we believe that government funding should work as hard as possible for your family. Here's how we make that happen:

We stretch your hours across the year. Rather than limiting funded hours to term time only, we can spread them across 51 weeks, giving your child a consistent routine all year round - and giving you more predictable costs each month.

We're transparent about what's included. Government funding covers your child's core care hours. It doesn't cover meals, consumables, or additional sessions - but we'll always be upfront about what you'll pay and why, so there are no surprises.

We guide you through the process. From checking your eligibility to validating your code, our team takes the complexity out of funded childcare. You'll never feel like you're navigating it alone.

childcare staff with children

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ schema)

When does my child's funding start?

Funding begins the term after your child reaches the eligible age - not on their birthday itself. The three terms start on 1 January, 1 April, and 1 September.

Can I use funded hours alongside other government schemes?

In some cases, yes. For example, Tax - Free Childcare can be used alongside your funded hours to help cover additional sessions. Our funding guide explains exactly which schemes can and can't be combined.

Do I need to reapply for funding every term?

For working families funding, you'll need to log into your government childcare account every three months to reconfirm your eligibility. We'll remind you when this is due, but it's worth setting your own reminder too.

What if I'm not sure which scheme applies to me?

That's exactly what we're here for. Download our funding guide for a full overview, or get in touch with your nearest Home From Home nursery and we'll talk you through it.

Can I roll over unused funded hours into the next term?

Unfortunately, funded hours can't be rolled over between terms - but this is where stretching comes in. By spreading your hours across 51 weeks rather than 38, you'll get a more consistent weekly allowance all year round with no hours lost at the end of term. Speak to your nursery manager to find out more.

How many funded hours will my child receive each day?

This depends on your nursery's opening hours, the number of funded hours you're entitled to, and how often your child attends. Funded sessions are capped at 10 hours per day in line with government guidelines, and we don't offer childcare by the hour. Each month you'll receive a clear invoice showing your child's funded hours alongside any additional chargeable hours - so it's always easy to see exactly what's been used.

Can I send my child in with a packed lunch?

 At Home From Home, we're proud to work with Zebedees, one of the UK's leading nursery catering companies, to provide delicious, nutritious, balanced meals every day. To maintain our high standards of nutrition, food safety, and mealtime learning, we're unable to accept packed lunches. If you choose to opt out of our All - In package, home - prepared hot meals are permitted. Please speak to your nursery manager for full details.

What happens if I miss the deadline to apply for my eligibility code?

Eligibility codes only provide funding in the term after you apply, so if you miss the deadline - the last day of March, August, or December - we won't be able to access your funded hours until the following term. If your child is 3 or older, you'll still be entitled to the universal 15 hours regardless. Once you have your code, send it to us and we'll validate it with the local authority and confirm your child's place.

What happens to my child's funded place if we go on holiday?

 If you're planning to be away for less than two weeks, this is generally straightforward - though the more notice you can give us, the better. If you're likely to be away for longer, please speak to your nursery team so they can check with the local authority whether funding can continue during that period.

What if I need to change the number of hours my child attends?

We ask for two months' notice for any changes to your child's sessions. If the change affects your funded childcare hours, please speak to your nursery team as early as possible - some changes may affect your funding claim, and depending on the hours involved, they may not take effect until the start of a new term.

If I pay for additional hours that my child doesn't use, can I get a refund?

We're not able to offer refunds on unused paid hours. This allows us to maintain consistent staffing and cover the running costs that ensure the highest quality of care for every child in our nurseries.

Ready to Find Out What You're Entitled To?

Fill out the form below to get in touch with your nearest Home From Home nursery today. Our friendly team will be happy to talk through your options and help you secure the right funded place for your child.

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