YMCA Black Country is committed to ensuring every parent has access to high-quality care and education for their children. We participate in government-funded nursery schemes to help parents with children under 5 access affordable early years education. Below is all the information you need about funded nursery places at YMCA Nurseries in the Black country, including eligibility, types of funding and how to apply:

Types of Funded Nursery Places

15 Hours of Free Childcare (Standard)

• Eligibility: All children aged 3 and 4 years old.
• Details: Your child is entitled to 15 hours of free early education per week for 38 weeks a year. This can be spread across up to 5 days.

15 Hours of Free Childcare (Stretched)

• Eligibility: All children aged 3 and 4 years old.
• Details: Your child is entitled to 12 hours of free early education per week for 47.5 weeks a year. This can be spread across up to 5 days.

30 Hours of Free Childcare (Extended)

• Eligibility: Available for working parents or carers of 3 and 4-year-old children.
• Details: Your child is entitled to 30 hours of free early education per week for 38 weeks a year. This can be spread across up to 5 days.

30 Hours of Free Childcare (Stretched Extended)

• Eligibility: Available for working parents or carers of 3 and 4-year-old children.
• Details: Your child is entitled to 24 hours of free early education per week for 47.5 weeks a year. This can be spread across up to 5 days.

2-Year-Old Funding

• Eligibility: Available to children from age 2 who meet certain criteria, such as children from low-income families, children with special educational needs, or those in care.
• Details: Your child may be eligible for 15 hours of free childcare each week. If you’re unsure if your child qualifies, please contact YMCA Lincolnshire for more information.

9 Month to 2-Year-Old Funding (Working Parents)

• Eligibility: Available to children from the term after they turn 9 months until they start school. More details can be found on the Childcare Choices website, here – Eligibility | Childcare Choices
• Details: 15 hours of free childcare per week over 38 weeks or 12 hours of free childcare per week over 47.5 weeks. This funding can be combined with the standard entitlement for 3- and 4-year-olds to make up 30 hours.

Special Educational Needs (SEN) Funding

• Eligibility: If your child has special educational needs or a disability, they may be eligible for additional funding.
• Details: This funding can be used for extra support or one-on-one care to ensure that your child receives the best possible educational experience. Details of these funding options can be found here – Get extra funding for your early years provider – GOV.UK

How to Apply for Funded Nursery Places at YMCA Black Country

The process for applying for a funded nursery place at YMCA Nurseries is simple. Here’s a step-by-step guide:

Step 1: Check Your Eligibility

• For 2-Year-Old Funding: You must meet specific criteria to qualify for 15 hours of free childcare. Visit the local council website or use the government’s online tool to check eligibility.
• For 3- and 4-Year-Olds: All children in this age group are eligible for 15 hours per week of free childcare, and many are also eligible for 30 hours of free childcare (if parents meet the work-based eligibility requirements). The Childcare Choices website Homepage | Childcare Choices can be used for guidance around eligibility.

Step 2: Apply for the Funding

• For 2-Year-Olds: Apply online through your local authority or the government’s website.
• For 3- and 4-Year-Olds: If your hid is eligible for 30 hours of free childcare, apply through the government’s Childcare Choices website and receive an eligibility code.

Step 3: Contact YMCA Nurseries

Once you have confirmed your eligibility and received the necessary codes (for 30 hours), contact your closest YMCA Nursery to arrange your child’s space. We’ll ask you for al the relevant details (such as eligibility code, preferred hours, etc.) and confirm what space we have available.

Step 4: Confirm Your Nursery Place

Once a place is confirmed, our nursery team will guide you through any additional steps, such as completing registration forms or discussing your child’s care schedule.

Important Things to Remember

• Flexible Hours: The 15- and 30-hours funding can be spread across the week depending on your family’s need and the availability at YMCA nurseries. Contact the nursery directly to discuss scheduling options.
• Term Time Only: Most funded hours are provided for 38 weeks a year (term time only). Some additional funding options may be available to spread the hours across the whole year.
• Additional Hours: If you need more childcare hours than the funded place provides, YMCA nurseries offer additional hours at standard rates.
• 30-Hour Funding: Parents must reconfirm eligibility for the 430 hours of free childcare every three months. Ensure that your details remain up-to date through the Childcare Choices website.