Good news! There are lots of options for free and funded childcare at Bristol’s nursery schools. Every family’s situation is different, so explore the options below to see what applies to you.
🎉 Universal Funding - Everyone Gets This!
That’s 15 hours per week during term time
This applies to every child – regardless of whether you work, your income, or what benefits you receive. It’s completely automatic once your child turns 3. *
What you need to know:
- Available from the term after your child turns 3
- Can be used at any of Bristol’s maintained nursery schools
- Usually taken as 15 hours per week during term time
- Can sometimes be stretched across more days with fewer hours per day
- No funding application needed. Contact your chosen nursery to apply.
* Subject to availability
⭐ Working Family Funding - Up to 30 Hours Per Week
If you’re a working family, you may be eligible for more funded early years education and care hours.
For children 9 months to 2 years old:
Working families can now get funded childcare for younger children – this is a new expansion of government funding.
For 2-year-olds:
Working families can get 30 hours or 15 hours funded places.
For 3 and 4-year-olds:
You get the universal 15 hours PLUS an additional 15 hours (30 hours total per week).
To qualify, you need ALL of these:
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You live in England
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You and your partner (if you have one) are both in paid workThis includes employed and self-employed work
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You each earn at least 16 hours per week at National Minimum WageThis is usually around £152 per week
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You have a National Insurance number
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Your adjusted net household income is up to £100,000 per year
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You have eligible immigration statusBritish or Irish citizenship, settled or pre-settled status, or permission to access public funds
💙 Benefits-Based Funding - Free Places for 2-Year-Olds
Your 2-year-old can get a free nursery place if you live in England and receive any of these benefits:
- Income Support
- Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
- Universal Credit – and your household income is £15,400 a year or less after tax (not including benefit payments)
- The guaranteed element of Pension Credit
What you get:
- 570 free hours per year (15 hours per week during term time, or 12 hours per week all year round, depending on your chosen nursey school)
- Available from the term after your child turns 2
- Can be used at Bristol’s maintained nursery schools
- Helps prepare your child for their universal funding at age 3
🤝 Need Help Working This Out? - We're Here to Support You
Don’t worry if this feels complicated – you’re not alone! Every family’s situation is different, and we’re experienced in helping families navigate funding options.
Contact Your Chosen Nursery
Our friendly staff can talk you through your options, help check your eligibility, and support you with applications. We’ve helped hundreds of families access funding.
Check Online
Use the government’s childcare calculator at gov.uk/childcare-calculator to get an estimate of what you might be eligible for.
Family Support
Many of our nursery schools offer family support services to help you navigate not just funding, but other aspects of family life too.
Common Questions We Can Help With:
- “I’m not sure if I’m working enough hours” – We can calculate this with you
- “My partner and I have different work situations” – We’ll explain how this affects eligibility
- “I’m not sure about my immigration status” – We support families from all backgrounds
- “I don’t know which nursery to choose” – We can help you find the right fit
- “I’m worried about the application process” – We’ll guide you through it step by step
Ready to Get Started?
Choose a Bristol nursery school and register your interest – we’re here to help! You can also find contact details for each nursery school here.