Master the 1,140-hour math. Effortlessly calculate stretched funding across 48-52 weeks while remaining 100% audit-compliant.
With the expansion of funded childcare for eligible working parents of children from 9 months old, mastering the 1,140-hour calculation is no longer optional—it's critical for business survival.
Stretched funding is the #1 administrative headache for childminders who operate year-round. While the government provides 1,140 hours per year, dividing them across 48, 50, or 52 weeks requires precision to avoid year-end deficits or illegal charging.
The rules are strict: you cannot charge a 'top-up' rate on government-funded hours. Under the January 2026 Itemisation Mandate, you must explicitly show funded hours at £0.00 on invoices, and any consumable charges (meals, nappies, trips) must be voluntary, optional, and clearly itemised.
Pro Tip: If a parent opts out of consumable charges, you must agree to an alternative arrangement (e.g. parent brings a packed lunch) without withdrawing their funded place. Under the 2026 "Leadership & Management" framework, your ability to demonstrate clear, transparent funding records is a key evaluating factor for a "Strong" grading.
With Making Tax Digital (MTD) coming into effect in April 2026, the 1,140-hour calculation is no longer just for parent clarity—it's for your digital income records. Using a calculator like this ensures your quarterly HMRC updates are precise, compliant, and professional from day one.
The government's Working Parent Entitlement provides up to 30 hours per week of free childcare, calculated over the standard school year (38 weeks). This equals 1,140 hours per year.
30 hours/week × 38 weeks = 1,140 hours/year
But many childminders operate year-round (48-52 weeks). Parents want consistency. So you stretch the same 1,140 hours across more weeks:
1,140 hours ÷ 48 weeks = 23.75 hours/week
👆 This is where the decimal hour tracking nightmare begins! Under DfE rules, you cannot round this down (e.g., to 23 hours) to make billing easier. Rounding down would withhold 36 hours of statutory funding a year from the parent, which is an illegal top-up violation.
Most childminders operate 48 weeks (taking 4 weeks holiday)
When you stretch funding, you often end up with decimal hours (like 23.75 hours/week). These decimals accumulate across the year and can cause confusion. Here's how to manage them:
If a child attends 23.75 hours per week, that 0.75 hour (45 minutes) needs to be tracked:
Pro Tip: Round to the nearest 15-minute block for practical scheduling. Parents understand "24 hours per week" better than "23.75 hours."
These must be labeled as "optional" or "voluntary". Crucially, if a parent chooses not to pay for these extras, you must agree to an alternative arrangement (e.g., allowing them to bring their own packed lunch) to ensure they can still access their free childcare hours.
Charging for the free entitlement or making extras "mandatory" is illegal under DfE guidance and can lead to your funding agreement being withdrawn.
As of 2026, most Local Authorities require extreme transparency. We recommend itemizing funded hours at £0.00 to prove they are free. Additional hours and consumables must be listed as separate, negotiated line items. This clarity protects you from funding disputes and Local Authority audits.
Each Local Authority sets their own hourly funding rate for childminders. While you cannot charge parents extra for the funded hours, understanding your LA's rate helps you budget effectively.
Central government funding rates vary by local authority. Check your Local Authority's Family Information Service for your setting's exact base rates and supplement structures.
Let KinderStart do it for you. Our invoicing engine automatically calculates termly stretching, manages decimal hour deficits, and separates consumables to keep you 100% compliant.
No credit card required • 7-day free trial
KinderStart strives for accuracy. Competitor features and pricing comparisons are based on publicly available information as of May 2026. Details are subject to change by respective providers.