# Funded childcare in Merton

Families in Merton get the same national entitlements as the rest of England: 30 hours a week for working parents from 9 months, 15 hours for every 3 and 4-year-old, and 15 hours for 2-year-olds in families on certain benefits, each for 38 weeks a year. Of the 27 nurseries in Merton whose funding we know, 26 say they offer 30 funded hours.

Page: https://toddly.co.uk/funded-hours/merton

## Nurseries accepting each scheme

| Scheme | Nurseries | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Funded hours from 9 months | 19 of 19 | we know for 19 of 80 nurseries |
| Funded places for 2-year-olds | 21 of 22 | we know for 22 of 80 nurseries |
| 15 funded hours (3 and 4-year-olds) | 32 of 32 | we know for 32 of 80 nurseries |
| 30 funded hours | 26 of 27 | we know for 27 of 80 nurseries |
| Tax-Free Childcare accepted | 14 of 14 | we know for 14 of 80 nurseries |

## How to apply

- Working parents (9 months to 4 years): Apply to HMRC from 23 weeks old for an 11-digit code, give it to the nursery, and reconfirm every 3 months. (https://www.gov.uk/free-childcare-if-working/apply-for-free-childcare-if-youre-working)
- Eligible 2-year-olds: Apply to your council, usually through its early years team or Family Information Service. (https://www.gov.uk/find-local-council)
- All 3 and 4-year-olds: No application: tell the nursery and it claims the hours from the council, from the term after the 3rd birthday. (https://www.gov.uk/help-with-childcare-costs/free-childcare-and-education-for-3-to-4-year-olds)

## Extras charged on funded hours

3 nurseries in Merton publish a charge on funded hours (meals, consumables or “enhanced” sessions). The median is £0.52 an hour.

## Methodology

- Counts come from what each nursery says on its website or listing, or tells us directly. A nursery we have no information for is not counted as “no”.
- Council funding rates are what councils pay nurseries per funded hour; we show them only when the council has published its figure.

- [Check what you qualify for](https://toddly.co.uk/funded-hours-checker?la=merton)
- [When your child's hours start](https://toddly.co.uk/funded-hours-start-date?la=merton)
- [Cost of nursery in Merton](https://toddly.co.uk/childcare-costs/merton)
- [Hidden extras tracker](https://toddly.co.uk/data/funded-hours-extras)

## Frequently asked questions

### How do I get funded childcare in Merton?

For the working-parent hours, apply to HMRC for a code and give it to your nursery. For 2-year-old places for families on benefits, apply to your council. The universal 3 and 4-year-old hours need no application.

### Which nurseries in Merton offer 30 funded hours?

Of the 27 nurseries in Merton whose funding we know, 26 say they offer 30 funded hours. Use the filter on our Merton page to see them.

### Can nurseries charge extra on funded hours?

They can charge for optional extras such as meals, nappies and trips, but must offer an alternative, for example bringing your own food, and cannot make extras a condition of the funded place. If a nursery insists, speak to your council.