Early Years Funding

*This page is in construction and some of the links may not work at this stage*

👶 Funding for 2-Year-Olds (Hertfordshire "Terrific Twos")

What you could get

• Eligible 2-year-olds can receive up to 15 hours per week of funded childcare (maximum 570 hours per year).

• In Hertfordshire, this is often referred to as the "Terrific Twos" programme.

Local link & eligibility check

Hertfordshire has its own online eligibility checker and application route:

👉 Terrific Twos page:
Best Start in Life - Childcare support checker

Eligibility criteria

You may be eligible if:

• You receive Universal Credit or other qualifying benefits.

• Your child has an EHCP or receives Disability Living Allowance.

• Your child is in care or has been adopted.

• OR, you meet the criteria under the working parents expansion scheme.

✅ Apply via the Hertfordshire Parent Portal:
Early education and childcare for 2 year olds - Hertfordshire County Council

You will receive a code if approved, which you must give to your nursery or childminder so they can claim the funding on your behalf.

Extended entitlement – 30 hours for working parents

Working families are also able to access up to 30 hours per week (1,140 hours per year) of funded childcare as part of the government’s expansion.

You may be eligible if:

 Eligible working families will be entitled to 1,140 hours per year (30 hours per week).

• Eligibility depends on:

  • Parental work status and income

  • Child’s circumstances

  • Immigration status

📝 How to Apply

1. Check your eligibility via the national GOV.UK Childcare Choices portal:
   Best Start in Life - 30 hours
   

2. Apply online for either:

   • 15 hours per week (570 hours/year)

   • 30 hours per week (1,140 hours/year) for eligible working families

3. Receive an eligibility code from GOV.UK.

4. Provide the code to us as your approved childcare provider and we claim the funding.

🧒 Funding for 3- and 4-Year-Olds

Universal entitlement – 15 hours

• All 3- and 4-year-olds can access 15 funded hours per week (570 hours per year).

• Hertfordshire providers automatically handle this entitlement once your child is enrolled — no parent application is needed for the universal 15 hours.

Official national info:
https://www.gov.uk/help-with-childcare-costs/free-childcare-and-education-for-3-to-4-year-olds

Extended entitlement – 30 hours for working parents

• Working parents may be eligible to extend this to 30 hours per week (1,140 hours per year).

• You must apply nationally via Childcare Choices / HMRC to receive an 11-digit code, which you then take to your childcare provider in Hertfordshire.

👉 Apply for your 30 hours code (HMRC):
https://www.gov.uk/apply-30-hours-free-childcare

👉 Hertfordshire guidance on 30 hours and using your code:
https://www.hertfordshire.gov.uk/30hours

⚠ Remember: You must reconfirm your code every 3 months, or your extended funding may stop.

✏️ Funding checklist

🎂 Step 1 – Check Your Child’s Age and Term Start Date

• Funding starts the term after your child’s birthday:

  • Born Sept–Dec → Funding starts January term

  • Born Jan–Mar → Funding starts April term

  • Born Apr–Aug → Funding starts September term

• Note your child’s birthday and the start term: ______________________

 

🎯 Step 2 – Decide Which Funding Applies to You

Child’s Age	Funding Type	Action Required
2 years	Terrific Twos – 15 hours	Check eligibility on Hertfordshire Parent Portal
3–4 years	Universal 15 hours	No application needed, your provider claims automatically
3–4 years (working parents)	30 hours extended funding	Apply via GOV.UK for 30-hour code

Tick your entitlement ✅ 

📝 Step 3 – Apply (if needed)

For 2-year-olds – Terrific Twos

• Visit: https://www.hertfordshire.gov.uk/terrifictwos

• Apply via Parent Portal: https://www.hertfordshire.gov.uk/fundedchildcare

• Make a note of your eligibility code once approved: ___________________

For 30 Hours (3–4-year-olds – working parents)

• Apply via GOV.UK: https://www.gov.uk/apply-30-hours-free-childcare

• You will receive an 11-digit code – write it here: ___________________

• Reconfirm every 3 months to keep your code active.

📤 Step 4 – Give Your Code and Details to Use as Your Provider

• Provide:

  • Your funding/eligibility code

  • Your National Insurance number

  • Your child’s date of birth

• Confirm your start date with the provider: ____________________

🔁 Step 5 – Monitor and Reconfirm (if using 30 hours)

• Set a reminder every 3 months to reconfirm your eligibility via your Childcare Account.

• Missed reconfirmation can mean losing extended hours.

 

This checklist is provided for parents in Hertfordshire to help navigate early years funding. For help, visit the Family Information Service: https://www.hertfordshire.gov.uk/fis

📒 Fee Paying

Children who meet our admissions criteria but are not eligible for government funding may access provision on a paid basis as follows:

 🕒 Core Hours (8:55am – 2:55pm)
Our core session is charged at £6.00 per hour.

• Morning sessions (8.55-11.55am) are charged at a total of £18.00 
• Lunch session (11.55-12.55pm) is charged at £6.00
• Afternoon sessions (11.55-2.55pm) are charged at £18.00

In addition, the nursery offers wraparound to flexibly suit our family needs:

☀️ Morning Wraparound – Little Larks
Start the day with us bright and early!

• From 8:00am – £8.00

• From 8:30am – £4.00

⭐ Afternoon Wraparound – Sparkly Stars
Stay and play a little longer!

• Until 3:55pm – £8.00 (Monday to Friday)

• Until 4:55pm – £16.00 (Monday to Thursday)

We’re happy to support your family’s routine within a warm, caring environment. 💫