Free Childcare for Working Families in Padiham (Including for Babies 9m+)
Today, we remind Padiham families that Little Acorns Nursery supports the new — free — childcare scheme for eligible children including babies as young as just 9 months of age. Although it’s available only to eligible working families, the bar to entry is fairly low. The childcare funding is therefore attainable for many families. This free childcare is not just limited to babies either and, what’s more, it’s due to become even more generous from September 2025. In our guide below we’ll outline who is eligible, how much childcare funding they can access, how many childcare hours that equates to, and what the eligibility criteria are. If you’re the parent of a baby, toddler, or child up to three years old, this is for you.
Background to the New Childcare Funding
The newly funded places are a real game-changer for working families and stem from Government plans announced back in March 2023’s Spring Budget. The idea was to make it easier for women, in particular, to rejoin the workforce following the birth of a child as well as helping the economy and the child being looked after. As we’ve reported before, beginning early years education early in a child’s life results in many advantages including better outcomes far into the individual’s life.
The funding promised in 2023 has now finally kicked in, having commenced at the start of September this year (2024). The free childcare funding scheme is therefore now active, including for nursery places at Little Acorns in Padiham.
How Much Free Childcare Can Eligible Babies & Children Access?
For those working families who are eligible, the scheme provides 570 hours per year of free childcare to children aged from 9 months to 3 years. This is normally taken as 15 hours per week for 38 weeks, usually aligning with the standard educational term-time weeks for school timetables. That said, it may be possible to stretch the hours over more weeks of the year if your childcare provider is able to accommodate such flexibility.
What’s This About it Being Even More Generous from September 2025?
As we mentioned in our introduction, the free childcare allowance for eligible babies (9m+) and children up to the age of 3 is set to increase next year. From September 2025, the free childcare allowance will double from 570 hours to 1140. Again, that will normally be taken over 38 term-time weeks, equating to 30 hours per week, but childcare settings may be able to stretch the hours in some cases. So, for example, you could utilise fewer hours per week but over more weeks of the year if your childcare provider is able to accommodate it.
Who is Eligible for the Childcare Funding for Children 9m-3y?
We’ll try to simplify the eligibility criteria for you. Whether it’s for a baby aged 9 months, a toddler of 1 or 2, or a child aged 3 or 4, there are essentially four main criteria for this specific type of childcare funding:
- It is intended for children of working families;
- Parents (or a parent and their partner) cannot be earning more than £100,000 per annum;
- They should expect to earn the National Minimum Wage (or Living Wage) or more for the equivalent of at least 16 hours each, per week, during the next quarter;
- They must have a National Insurance number.
The four factors above are a guide to the main criteria. That said, there are several other rules, exceptions or caveats to check for in specific situations. For example, these may affect foster carers, the self-employed, people beginning new jobs, those earning irregular incomes, people on sick leave or annual leave, unemployed people who receive certain benefits, and others. Full details of eligibility requirements for working families can be found here.
What Happens Once Children Reach the Age of Three?
Well, it’s good news. It’s already the case that all 3 and 4-year-olds living in England are eligible to receive 570 hours (15 per week) of free childcare anyway. That’s available under what’s known as ‘Universal Entitlement’, a Government childcare funding scheme that’s been around for some time. What’s more, those working families that are eligible for the ‘new’ free childcare for children aged 9 months to 3 years are also likely to be eligible for a top-up of their child’s Universal Entitlement once they reach the ages of 3 and 4. In those cases, they’ll be entitled to 30 hours per week over 38 weeks (or however the 1140 free hours are spread out). That’s because the eligibility criteria are the same (see section above).
Combined, This Represents Free Childcare Hours from 9 Months to School Age for Eligible Children
It all means that eligible children of working families may be able to take free childcare hours right from the age of 9 months until they’re 4, at which age they will usually leave nursery/preschool to begin Primary School. This combination of free childcare schemes, which are open to so many, should really help families financially and career-wise. It should also help the child thrive, have better life outcomes, and benefit the economy as a whole.
Check Your Eligibility & Start Your Application
Simply check how many free childcare hours your child may be eligible for here and then, if eligible, you can begin your application here.
Applications are accepted for babies once they reach the age of 23 weeks (just over 5 months of age). If successful, you’ll receive a code which will be required by your childcare provider. Note that you’ll also need to confirm your eligibility once every quarter in order to continue receiving the free childcare hours.
Free & Fee-Paying Childcare at Little Acorns Nursery, Padiham
At Little Acorns Nursery in Padiham, we support fee-paying childcare as well as a whole range of government-funded childcare schemes. What’s common to all nursery placements, though, is that children receive love, care and respect in a home-from-home environment that brings out the best in each one of them. We nurture every child so they become the very best version of themselves in readiness for primary school and a successful future.
We are a high-quality nursery and preschool in Padiham, also located conveniently close to families in Hapton, Rose Grove, Burnley, Altham, Huncoat, Read, Simonstone, Sabden, Higham and Wood End. Get in touch today to request a nursery place for your child, arrange a guided tour, or ask any questions — we’ll be happy to help: