Childcare support for children under five

Find out about different ways to get childcare support, and information about the types of funding.

Funded childcare

You can find information about the government schemes that might be available to you and your family on the Best Start in Life website.

For all childcare support funding you can start using your entitlements from the term after your child turns the relevant age. For the 30 hour working parent entitlement this is the term after your child turns 9 months old until they reach school age.

Select a scheme to find out more about it, who qualifies and how to apply.

How to find out if a childcare provider offers funded childcare

Most Ofsted registered childcare providers in Brighton & Hove offer funded childcare. You can search for Ofsted registered childcare providers that offer places on the Childcare Directory.

Funded childcare support cannot be backdated, so you will lose any of the hours that you do not use. If your chosen provider has a waiting list, or is unable to offer you a place, you can contact Best Start Family Hubs who can help you to find another childcare provider. 

Questions to ask potential childcare providers about funding

You need to make sure you understand whether your place is completely funded or if you will be charged for additional hours or services. Ask the childcare provider to put this in writing so that you have a record to keep. You should also ask to see a copy of the early years provider’s terms and conditions.

If you already pay for your child to attend childcare, the days and times the funded childcare support sessions are offered may be different.

You should also consider:

  • how the setting offers funded childcare support sessions for your child
  • whether you want your child to attend 15 or 30 hours a week during term time only, or whether you want to spread your hours across the year 

How the funded place will be offered

There are limits set by the government about how the funded place can be offered:

  • no session can be longer than 10 hours
  • sessions must not start before 6am or finish after 8pm
  • a maximum of two single sites in one day

You should discuss with each provider how they will spread the hours over the week. Some offer specific packages but others may be more flexible.  

See the below different scenarios for more specific advice.

If you want more or fewer funded childcare hours over the year

If you want to split funded childcare support hours between more than one provider

If you want to use more than one type of childcare support

What you may have to pay for on top of your funded childcare

You can ask providers for your funded childcare support hours only. Childcare providers may offer them at certain times of the day or week.

You may have to pay a small deposit which will be refunded when your child starts.  

Providers can charge for food, consumables and activities such as:

  • meals and snacks
  • nappies
  • suncream
  • trips

Families must be given an alternative to purchasing these extras if they only want their funded childcare support hours.

Childcare providers can decide their own charges for paid sessions and consumables, and sessions which include some funded hours, but these should be published on their website if they have one.

Your childcare provider should give you information about charges and these should be clearly set out on your invoice. 

If you are having difficulty finding a childcare provider that can offer you just your funded hours, contact the Best Start Family Hubs team. 

Your childcare invoice

You should clarify any additional charges they may include in your bill.

If you have any queries about your invoice, speak to your childcare provider in the first instance. They should explain how the charges have been worked out and how they are charging you for any extra hours, consumables or services.  Keep a note of any discussions that you have and if you still feel the situation is unresolved, contact Best Start Family Hubs. 

Leaving a childcare provider and ending support

Leaving a childcare provider

If you want to leave your childcare provider, they may require you to give a notice period. The notice period for any sessions which include funded childcare support, will be in the contract with your provider, and should not exceed one month.

When childcare support ends

Most childcare schemes stop when children start school. Children start in reception class in the September after their fourth birthday. 

For more information about applying for school and school start dates, contact the School Admissions team.