Funded childcare hours in Nottinghamshire have changed significantly, and many parents are still unsure exactly what they can claim in 2026. The headline is good news: eligible working families can now access far more funded childcare than they could a couple of years ago. The detail is where parents get caught out, so this guide sets out clearly who qualifies, how much they can claim, and the dates that matter.
Funding rules can change, so always confirm your own eligibility through the government’s official Childcare Choices and Best Start in Life services before making decisions. The figures below reflect the position for 2026.
The two schemes parents mix up
There are two separate strands of funded childcare, and confusing them is the most common mistake parents make.
The first is the universal entitlement: every 3 and 4 year old in England can access 15 funded hours, which works out at 570 hours a year over 38 weeks. This is not means tested, so it does not depend on your income or whether you work, and you do not need an eligibility code for it.
The second is the entitlement for working parents, which has expanded considerably. Since September 2025, eligible working parents can claim 30 funded hours for children from the term after they turn 9 months old, right through until they start school. That adds up to 1,140 hours a year, again usually taken as 30 hours a week across 38 weeks.
Who counts as an eligible working parent
For the 30 hour offer, both parents, or the sole parent in a lone parent family, generally need to be working and meet an earnings test. In broad terms, each parent must expect to earn at least the equivalent of 16 hours a week at the National Minimum or Living Wage, and neither parent can have an adjusted net income above £100,000 a year. Employment, self employment and zero hours work can all count. The official eligibility checker is the only reliable way to confirm your own position, because individual circumstances vary.
The dates that catch families out
Funded hours start from the term after your child reaches the qualifying age, not immediately, and you have to apply in good time. You can apply for the working parent funding from when your child is 23 weeks old. There are fixed deadlines tied to each term, so applying late can push your funded place back by a whole term. As a rule of thumb, you need your eligibility code confirmed before the term starts, so it is worth applying as early as you are able rather than leaving it until the last few weeks.
Term time hours and the stretched option
Funded hours are calculated over 38 weeks of the year, which matches term time. That can be awkward for working parents who need childcare through the holidays as well. Many nurseries offer a stretched option, spreading the same annual total of funded hours across all 52 weeks at a lower number of funded hours per week. This smooths the funding across the year rather than leaving you with unfunded holiday weeks. It is always worth asking your provider directly whether they offer a stretched arrangement, because not every setting does.
What funding does not cover
Funded hours cover early education and care, but providers are allowed to charge separately for meals, nappies and certain extra activities. These charges must be optional, and a setting should offer you alternatives, such as bringing in a packed lunch, if you would rather not pay for meals. When you compare nurseries, ask for a clear breakdown of any additional costs alongside the funded hours, so you can see the true monthly figure rather than just the funded headline.
A real example for a Nottinghamshire family
Take a family with a one year old where both parents work. From the term after their child turned 9 months, they became eligible for 30 funded hours. Because they needed cover beyond term time, they asked their nursery about a stretched arrangement, which spread the funded hours across the full year at a steady weekly amount. They still paid separately for meals, but the funded hours covered the bulk of the cost. The key to making it work was applying early, confirming the eligibility code in time, and asking the right questions about meals and stretching rather than assuming.
How Calverton Day Nursery helps with funding
Calverton Day Nursery, part of Wolds Childcare, supports families through the funded hours process from start to finish. We care for children from around two months to five years on Mews Lane in Calverton, and we can talk you through how the 15 and 30 hour entitlements apply to your chosen sessions, including whether a stretched arrangement suits your family. We will always be clear about any additional charges so you know exactly where you stand.
Getting the most from your entitlement
The funded childcare hours available in Nottinghamshire in 2026 can make a real difference to family budgets, but only if you check your eligibility early, understand the term time and stretched options, and ask about extra costs upfront. Confirm your eligibility through the official government services, then speak to your chosen nursery about how to apply it. If you would like help understanding your funded hours at Calverton, call 0115 965 5343 or email calverton@woldschildcare.co.uk.