Supporting Your Childcare Costs: Flexible and Accessible Payment Options
At Awesome Childcare, we are committed to ensuring every family has access to our childcare services. To make things easier, we’ve outlined a range of payment options and support schemes to help you manage childcare costs effectively.
1. Early Years Funding (15 & 30 Hours)
Early Years Funding helps reduce the cost of childcare for eligible families. Funding is applied directly to your nursery fees, and we’ll clearly show this on your monthly invoice, so you always know how your entitlement is being used.
What You Can Get:
- 15 hours of funded childcare for all 3- and 4-year-olds
- 30 hours of funded childcare for eligible working families with children aged 3 and 4
- From September 2025: Eligible working parents of children aged 9 months to school age can now access up to 30 funded hours per week, completing the national expansion
How to Claim:
Apply for a 30-hour eligibility code (if applicable) through your Childcare Choices account. You must reconfirm your eligibility every 3 months.
Apply or check eligibility: www.gov.uk/free-childcare-if-working
Important Step:
Once you receive your eligibility code, please email it to us at hello@awesomechildcare.com so we can validate it with the local authority.
What Funding Covers:
Early Years Funding does not include meals, consumables, or additional services. Any extra hours or optional services will be charged separately.
2. Childcare Vouchers
Childcare vouchers are a practical and popular way to pay for our services. We’re registered with all major voucher providers, making it easy for you to use vouchers for full or part payments.
Flexible Payments:
Book early to take advantage of our monthly instalment plans.
How to Pay:
Link your childcare voucher account to Awesome Childcare following your provider’s instructions. Please allow up to 7 working days for payments to process and send vouchers at least 7 days before the due date.
3. Tax-Free Childcare
Save up to 20% on childcare costs with the government’s Tax-Free Childcare scheme. For every £8 you deposit, the government adds £2.
Eligibility:
Most families qualify—check here:
How to Book:
Use our name, Ofsted registration number, or postcode, along with your child’s TFC number (e.g., AJOH12345TFC).
Important Step:
After registering, email your TFC reference number to hello@awesomechildcare.com so we can link your payments.
4. Childcare Grants for Students
If you’re a full-time higher education student, you may be eligible for support with childcare costs.
Benefits You Could Receive:
- Up to £199.62 per week for one child (or 85% of costs, whichever is less)
- Up to £342.24 per week for two or more children (or 85% of costs, whichever is less)
How to Apply:
Contact your university’s Student Finance team or the Childcare Grant Payment Service at info@ccgpay.co.uk or 0800 488 0961.
More information: www.gov.uk/student-finance/who-qualifies
Important Step:
After your grant is approved, tell us at hello@awesomechildcare.com so we can issue payment requests to the grant service.
5. Universal Credit
Universal Credit can help with living expenses, including childcare costs.
How It Works:
- Book and pay for childcare upfront
- Upload our proof of payment to your Universal Credit account for reimbursement
Benefits You Could Receive:
- Up to £1,031.88 per month for one child (or 85% of costs, whichever is less)
- Up to £1,768.94 per month for two or more children (or 85% of costs, whichever is less)
More information: www.gov.uk/guidance/universal-credit-childcare-costs
Learn More
Student Finance:
www.gov.uk/student-finance-register-login
www.gov.uk/student-finance/who-qualifies
Tax-Free Childcare:
Universal Credit:
www.gov.uk/guidance/universal-credit-childcare-costs
Early Years Funding:
www.gov.uk/free-childcare-if-working
www.gov.uk/help-with-childcare-costs/free-childcare-and-education-for-2-to-4-year-olds
If you have any questions or need help with any of these schemes, please contact us at hello@awesomechildcare.com
At Awesome Childcare, we’re dedicated to supporting your family’s needs.