Making Sense of Funding — and Why Choosing the Right Nursery Matters

At Toddlers Inn, we know that choosing a nursery isn’t just about finding childcare — it’s about giving your child the very best start in life. That’s why we want to make sure parents fully understand how government funding works, what stretched funding means, and why investing your funded hours with us gives your child so much more than the basics.

💡 How Funding Works

From April 2025, the government is expanding Funded Early Entitlements to help families with childcare costs:

• All 3 & 4-year-olds: 15 hours per week, stretched to 11.18 hours weekly across the whole year at our all-year-round nursery.

• Working parents of children aged 9 months to 5 years: 30 hours per week, stretched to 22.36 hours weekly.

👉 Stretched funding doesn’t mean less — it simply spreads your entitlement evenly across the year, so you can rely on consistent childcare every week, not just during term time.

We’re open all year round (closing only for Christmas week), giving families the stability they need.

Eligibility for 30 hours: Parents must work 16+ hours per week, and it applies to:

• Children aged 9 months

• All 2-year-olds

• All children aged 3–5 years

📅 Key Deadlines for 30-Hour Codes

To secure your funding, apply before these dates:

• 31 December 2025 – for January 2026 (Spring term)

• 31 March 2026 – for April 2026 (Summer term)

• 31 August 2026 – for September 2026 (Autumn term)

✨ Our recommended “safe dates” to avoid delays:

• 15 December 2025 – Spring term

• 15 March 2026 – Summer term

• 15 August 2026 – Autumn term

👉 Check your eligibility and apply via the Best Start in Life website or GOV.UK.

🌱 Outstanding Education at Toddlers Inn

Every child is unique — and we celebrate that. At Toddlers Inn, children are treated as capable individuals, encouraged to explore, make choices, and grow in confidence.

From baby to pre-schooler, your child will gain:

• Practical life skills

• Self-awareness and independence

• The building blocks of learning that prepare them for school and beyond

🎉 Beyond Childcare: Value-Added Experiences

Your funded hours at Toddlers Inn unlock so much more than a place to play. We enrich children’s lives with experiences that spark curiosity, resilience, and joy:

• 🪚 Woodwork Club – Creativity, problem-solving, and resilience

• 🌳 Forest School & Allotment – Daily outdoor learning in our Oak Garden and yurts, led by a Qualified Forest School Leader

• 🐑 Farm School – Hands-on experiences with animals and nature

• 🍳 Cooking Club – From allotment produce to open-fire cooking

• 🏖️ Beach School – Marine life, environmental care, and safe risk-taking

• 🚌 Minibus Adventures – Weekly trips to farms, trails, and Ashdown Forest

💬 Why Parents See Real Value at Toddlers Inn

When you choose Toddlers Inn, you’re not just using your funded hours — you’re investing in your child’s future. Parents tell us they feel their funding goes further here, because it’s spent in a nursery that:

• Invests in creativity and exploration

• Offers unique, real-life learning experiences

• Provides consistent, year-round care

The result? Children who are confident, curious, and ready for the next stage of their journey.

💷 Tax-Free Childcare: An Extra Boost

Alongside funded hours, many families also qualify for Tax-Free Childcare. This scheme helps working parents save up to 20% on childcare costs:

• For every £8 you pay into your childcare account, the government adds £2

• Up to £2,000 per child per year (or £4,000 if your child has a disability)

• Can be used to pay nursery fees alongside your funded hours

Many parents find that combining Funded Early Entitlements with Tax-Free Childcare makes nursery far more affordable — while still giving their child access to the very best experiences.

✨ Conclusion

At Toddlers Inn, your funded hours aren’t just childcare — they’re an investment in your child’s growth, confidence, and happiness. With our outstanding education, unique clubs, and year-round consistency, your child will thrive in an environment that values creativity, exploration, and individuality.

👉 Secure your funding, apply early, and give your child the start they deserve at Toddlers Inn Nursery.