If you have only recently realised that your child may be entitled to funded childcare from September, you are certainly not alone.
Every year, the weeks leading up to September bring a rush of parents checking their childcare entitlement, applying for their funding code and trying to find a nursery place that works for their family.
If you live in Rugby and are looking for a funded nursery place from September 2026, there is still time to explore your options.
Could your child qualify for 30 hours funded childcare from September?
Eligible working parents of children aged from 9 months to school age can receive 30 hours of government-funded childcare a week for 38 weeks of the year.
For children who turn 9 months old between 1 April and 31 August, the funded entitlement can begin from 1 September.
To use the entitlement from September, parents normally need to apply for their childcare funding code by 31 August.
Eligibility depends on factors including your child’s age, your working circumstances and household income, so the best place to check your individual entitlement is through the government’s childcare service.
Already got your funding code?
If you already have your childcare funding code, the next step is finding a nursery that has suitable availability and can offer the attendance pattern you need.
At Blue Windmill Nursery in Rugby, we offer funded places for eligible children and aim to make the funding system as straightforward as possible for families.
We know that childcare funding can initially appear confusing — particularly when you are trying to work out how 30 funded hours fit around full nursery days, work commitments and school holidays.
That is why we explain our funded fee options clearly before you make any decisions.
How do 30 funded hours work at Blue Windmill Nursery?
The government’s 30-hour entitlement is based on 38 weeks of the year.
Blue Windmill is open for 51 weeks, so we offer families the option of stretching their funding across the year. This means 30 funded hours becomes approximately 22.35 funded hours each week over 51 weeks.
The funding is then applied to your chosen nursery sessions.
Families can choose between different ways of arranging their childcare, depending on whether they want to use funded hours only or require additional nursery hours.
Can I use only my funded hours?
Yes.
Blue Windmill offers a Fully-Funded Childcare Package for families who want to use their funded entitlement without purchasing additional childcare hours.
There is no requirement to buy additional hours in order to access a funded place.
Meals, consumables and enrichment activities can be added if you would like them, but these are optional.
Alternatively, families who need longer days or additional childcare can choose one of our All-Inclusive Packages, where the government-funded hours are deducted first and the remaining childcare and services are included within a straightforward monthly fee.
How much would nursery cost after funding?
This depends on:
- whether your child receives 15 or 30 funded hours;
- how many days they attend;
- whether you choose full, short or half-day sessions;
- whether you need childcare beyond the funded entitlement; and
- whether you choose optional meals, consumables and activities.
Rather than trying to work it out yourself, you can use our Funded Fees Calculator to see how different attendance patterns affect your monthly fee.
For a fuller explanation of how funded hours and our different childcare packages work, you can also read:
Looking for a September nursery place in Rugby?
September is always a busy time for nursery enquiries, particularly as families discover that their child has become eligible for funded childcare.
If you are still looking for a nursery place in Rugby for September, please don’t assume that you have left it too late.
Availability varies by age group and by the days and sessions required, so the best thing to do is get in touch and tell us what you are looking for.
We can talk through:
- your child’s age;
- your funded entitlement;
- the days and hours of childcare you need;
- the different ways you can use your funding; and
- current availability at Blue Windmill Nursery.
You are also very welcome to come and look around the nursery, meet our team and see our indoor rooms and award-winning nursery garden for yourself. You can book a nursery showround online.
Blue Windmill Nursery, Rugby
Blue Windmill Nursery is based on Addison Road in Rugby, and provides childcare for babies, toddlers and preschool children.
If you have recently received your childcare funding code — or have only just discovered that you may be eligible for funded childcare from September — contact us and we will be happy to help you work through your options.