help with the cost of childcare

Working families who qualify can access funded child care for children aged 9 months and older. We offer the governments ‘stretch’ scheme, allowing you to spread your funded hours over 51 weeks per year, providing 11 hours of childcare each week. And from September 2025, working families can access 22 hours of childcare each week. 

 Your child can begin their child care placement the term after they become eligible and receive a valid eligibility code. Term start dates are 1st September, 1st January, and 1st April   To find out more information: www.childcarechoices.gov.uk 

You can book the following sessions: 8am-1pm, 1pm-6pm or 8am-6pm.

Minimum days required: One full day or two half days. Early drop offs & late pick-ups available. The ‘stretch‘ scheme applies for our nurseries in Alton, Barford St. Martin and Eastleigh. 

Our Basingstoke nursery is term-time only, which equates to 15 hours funding per week.

You could save up to £3,189 a year! 

At First Friends we are proud to offer childcare for 2-year-olds, and you may be entitled to funding. You will qualify if one parent or carer is receiving one of the following: 

1. Income Support 
2. Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
3. Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) Universal Credit 
4. Tax credits and has an annual income of under £16,190 before tax 
5. The guaranteed element of State Pension Credit support through part 6 of the Immigration and Asylum Act 
6. The Working Tax Credit 4-week run on (the payment you get when you stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit) 

Or a 2-year-old can also get free early education and childcare if any of the following apply: 

1. They are looked after by a local authority 
2. They have a current statement of special educational needs (SEN) or an education, health and care (EHC) plan 
3. They get Disability Living Allowance 
4. They’ve left care under a special guardianship order; child arrangements order or adoption order. 

You will need your National Insurance number, date of birth, name and child’s details. 

Save up to £6,378 per year!

All 3-and 4-year-old children are entitled to free childcare here at First Friends.

All families with a 3-and 4-year-old child are eligible for the universal funding offer of up to 15 hours a week term time or 11 hours a week taken throughout the year. A child becomes eligible for the funding the term after their 3rd birthday. 

15 Extended Hours (total 30 hours of funding) 

A further 15 hours is offered to working families for 3-and 4-year-olds. You will need to check if you are eligible, but parents can usually get 30 hours childcare if you (and your partner, if you have one) are in work and each are earning at least the National Minimum Wage or Living Wage for 16 hours a week and earn less than £100,000 per annum. 

Parents can pay fees through a Tax-Free Childcare account if they are eligible. 

For every £8 you pay in, the government will add an extra £2, up to £2,000 per child per year, which is up to £500 every three months. 

Tax credits are available from HM Revenue and Customs, based on your household’s circumstances. You may be able to access help with the cost of childcare if you’re working for a minimum of 16 hours / week. 

For further information and eligibility, check online at: www.hmrc.gov.uk/taxcredit 

We’re happy to accept childcare vouchers from employers who offer this benefit to their employees. Vouchers are non-taxable and exempt from NI contributions for employees, whilst offering NI savings for employers. Both parents are eligible to claim as long as they’re both in employment .

If you already have a child at our nursery or if you’re registering a place for more than one child, we offer a 5% discount off your oldest child’s nursery fees when their younger sibling starts