Paying for nursery
Funded hours, Tax-Free Childcare, Universal Credit and the extras nurseries charge.
- 30 funded hours from 9 months
How Free Childcare for Working Parents works in England in 2026–27: who qualifies, the income rules, when the hours start and how to apply.
4 min read
- 15 funded hours for 2-year-olds
Which 2-year-olds can get 15 funded hours a week in England through Early Learning for 2 year olds, how it differs from the working-parent hours, and how to apply.
3 min read
- Tax-Free Childcare explained
How Tax-Free Childcare works for nursery fees in 2026–27, how much the government adds, who qualifies and how it fits with funded hours and Universal Credit.
3 min read
- Universal Credit childcare costs
How Universal Credit helps with nursery costs in England: up to 85% back, the monthly limits, who can claim, and how it compares with Tax-Free Childcare.
3 min read
- Nursery extras and consumables charges
What nurseries in England can and cannot charge on funded hours, the common extras, how to compare them and what to do if a charge seems unfair.
4 min read
- Nursery deposits and registration fees
What nursery registration fees and deposits are, what is normal, when you get your money back and what to check in the contract before paying.
3 min read
- What "funded" hours really cover
What the 15 and 30 funded hours cover in practice, why your nursery bill may not be zero, and how to work out what you will actually pay.
3 min read