Funding for early childhood education and childcare

To apply, you’ll need:

• your and your child’s Social Security number
• your Tax Identification Number (TIN)
• your bank details
• the name of the registered nursery or childminder, or or accredited nanny
  
• payment receipt from the nursery or childminder. This must include your child’s name, childcare provider name and how much you paid. We don’t accept bank statements or invoices
  
• payslips to an accredited nanny
  

Once your application is approved, you’ll receive payment within 4 weeks.

Your application can't be for more than the total value o​f your receipts, up to a maximum of £6,445.​

Apply for childcare funding

If you don’t have your TIN, contact Revenue Jersey. You can also request one by making a personal tax enquiry. 

Who can get funding

All children can get childcare funding in the school year they turn 3 years old. No matter their parent’s income and employment or residential status.

Funding is given per child. If you have twins for example, you can apply for both children. You don’t need to apply for funding if your child goes to:

• Play and Learn at D’Auvergne
• Douet Dinkies at Plat Douet
  

Tax and childcare funding

On your tax return you:

• can’t claim childcare tax relief on payments you receive funding for
• should not include the childcare funding payments you receive as income

Receiving childcare funding could affect your ITIS effective rate or income tax. As school years run across 2 financial years, you may need to take this into account when completing your tax return.

For more details check the guidance on child care tax relief.

Childcare funding if you’re claiming Income Support

If you already get childcare support through Income Support, this will continue as normal. However, you may be able to claim if there is an amount they don’t cover. 

Before you apply, you must contact Income Support​ for advice.

Children aged 3 to 4 years old

In the school year your child turns 4 years old, they can get up to 30 free nursery hours each week. This is for 38 weeks during term time only, starting in September.

The free nursery hours are called the Nursery Education Fund (NEF).

To get free nursery hours, your child must attend a NEF-registered childcare provider. You only pay if your child attends more than 30 hours p​er week.

When your child can receive free hours

Your child can receive free nursery hours in the school year they turn 4 years old.

The following year, they will start Reception which is free. Find out how to register for a primary school reception place.

Where you can get a place​

You can apply for a funded nursery place at:

• public school nurseries
• NEF-registered private nurseries

You can’t get free nursery hours from a childminder.

School nursery place

Most of our public primary schools have a nursery class.

These nurseries provide care to children in the year before they start Reception. They are open term time only.

Contact the school or find out how to register and apply for a school nursery place.

Private nursery place

Some nurseries are open outside of school hours and all year. Contact them for more details and for available spaces.

Find a list of private nurseries​.

Childcare help if you’re on Income Support

You may be able to receive help paying for childcare if you’re on Income Support when you:

• are working
• are studying
• have an illness or disability

Find more on how your childcare benefit made up​ or contact Income Support.

Children aged under 2

As a new parent you have employment rights and can receive financial support.

Find more details on parental rights and financial assistance​.