Making Sense of Funding at Jabberwocky

Choosing where to spend your funded hours is a big decision — and at Jabberwocky, we make sure every hour counts.

From April 2025, all 3- and 4-year-olds are entitled to 15 hours per week, which we stretch to 11.18 hours weekly across the year at our all-year-round nursery. Working parents of children aged 9 months to 5 years can access 30 hours, stretched to 22.36 hours per week. And because we’re open every week of the year (except Christmas week), you can plan your work and family life with confidence.

📅 Key Deadlines for 30-Hour Codes

To make sure your funding is ready when you need it, here are the important dates:

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

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

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

💡 Our tip: apply early to avoid last-minute stress!

• 15 December 2025 – Spring term

• 15 March 2026 – Summer term

• 15 August 2026 – Autumn term

🌟 Beyond Childcare: Value-Added Experiences

At Jabberwocky, funded hours aren’t just about care — they’re about enrichment. Every child has the chance to explore, create, and grow through unique experiences:

• 🐑 Farm School – hands-on learning with animals

• 🏖️ Beach School – exploring nature by the sea

• 🌳 The Arboretum – our offsite Forest School

• 🌱 Gardening Club – growing food and flowers

• 🍳 Cooking Club – making (and tasting!) delicious recipes

• 🪚 Woodworking Club – building skills and confidence

• 🚌 Minibus Adventures – weekly trips to broaden horizons

💬 Why Parents See Real Value at Jabberwocky

When you use your funded hours with us, you’re not just covering childcare — you’re investing in your child’s future.

Every session is designed to build:

• Confidence through new challenges

• Independence through hands-on learning

• A love of discovery through real-world adventures

Parents tell us their funding goes further here, because their children gain so much more than the basics.

💷 Making Childcare Even More Affordable

Don’t forget, you can combine your funded hours with the Tax-Free Childcare scheme.

Here’s how it works:

• For every £8 you pay in, the government adds £2

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

• This can be used to pay nursery fees alongside your funded hours

Many Jabberwocky families use both schemes together — making our high-quality childcare and all those extra activities even more affordable.

✨ In short: at Jabberwocky, every funded hour is an adventure.

Your child gets more than care — they get confidence, creativity, and a community that helps them thrive.