Early Education Funding
At The Blue Strawberry
Early Education Funding:
Reduce your child's education costs considerably after their third year
It is important to keep in mind that funding support does not mean that your childcare costs will be free, it does mean that your childcare costs could be considerably less than you might have expected.
Nursery providers cannot exceed the funded offer of 15 hours – 570 hours per year and 30 hours – 1140 hours per year…
Each branch may calculate your funding differently. Children who attend 52 weeks of the year will automatically have their funding entitlement stretched.
You can also split your funding offer between two childcare providers. To do this, you will need to provide your eligibility code and information to each provider, and you can access no more than two sites in one day.
If you would like to get more information about Early Education Funding and check your eligibility please visit the childcare choices government website:
Universal funding for 3- and 4-year-olds:
All 3- to 4-year-olds in England are eligible for 570 funded hours per year up until the term that they start Reception or reach compulsory school age (the term following their 5th birthday).
This funding is for 15 hours per week for 38 weeks of the year.
There are no earning or work requirements. We spread this funding throughout 52 weeks of the year to provide consistency for your child and your family, receiving 10.96 hours per week.
Additionally eligible working parents and carers of children aged 3 – 4 can get an additional 15 hours of childcare support, bringing the total support they can get up to 30 hours a week. 30 hours spread across 52 weeks of the year means you will receive 21.92 hours per week towards your weekly fees.
Funding from 9 months to 3 years:
Eligible working parents of children aged 9 months to 3 years old can access 15 hours of childcare support per week for 38 weeks of the year.
We spread this funding throughout 52 weeks of the year to provide consistency for your child and your family, receiving 10.96 hours per week.
From September 2025:
Eligible working parents of children from 9 months to school age will be entitled to 30 hours of childcare a week.
Like the existing offer, depending on your provider, these hours can be used over 38 weeks of the year, or up to 52 weeks if you use fewer than your total hours per week.
To check eligibility for 15 hours funded childcare, you will need to visit:
You will receive an 11-digit funding code. You will need to submit your funding code, your National Insurance number and your child’s date of birth to the provider.
You must reconfirm your eligibility every 3 months. If you apply more than 3 months before the term starts, you’ll have to reconfirm your eligibility in your account (which you’ll be given once you have applied for the first time) in order to keep your code valid.
It is parents’ responsibility to reconfirm funding codes on time.
Stretching funded childcare hours
The Blue Strawberry at Leamington Spa will automatically stretch the funding over 52 weeks. Sessions can vary, so please speak to the Nursery Manager, who can tell you how the funded sessions are offered and the additional service charge for each funded session.
What is Stretched Funding?
Government funded hours only apply to term time (38 weeks)
We allow families to ‘stretch’ these hours over 52 weeks
For example, 15 hours ‘stretched’ would be up to 10.96 hours per week, 30 hours ‘stretched’ would be up to 21.92 hours per week.
Families pay for additional services over their funded hours entitlement
Term Time Funding
At our Leamington branch we offer term time only places from when a child turns 3 years old.
Parents will be invoiced for 11 months of the year.
Our Cawston branch run term time only spaces for all children. In addition, there is the Hi 5 Holiday Club and the Hi 5 After School Club.
Contact the relevant site to discuss your options.
Blue Strawberry Branches
For more details on how we provide funding in each of branch’s please contact them directly:
