Guidance

Overseas Nursery Authority (ONA)

Updated 12 August 2024

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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-for-service-personnel-and-their-families-on-child-welfare-policies/overseas-nursery-authority-ona

The aim of the Overseas Nursery Authority (ONA) is to mirror the provision of funded childcare in England to locations outside of the UK where it is reasonably practicable to do so. It can only be used for the overseas childcare programme closest to the funded entitlement in England.

ONA ensures that Service families are not disadvantaged when assigned overseas in an area that does not have Defence Children Services (DCS) settings, which provide childcare support for the equivalent to children aged 9 months to 4 years in England.

The Offer

All Regular and Full Time Reserve Service Full Commitment (FTRS FC) personnel and UK-Based Civil Servants (UKBCs) posted overseas or Specially Recruited for Overseas Service are eligible for the universal entitlement of 15 hours’ funded childcare for their 3 to 4-year-old children and 2-year-old children when in receipt of additional government support, for 38 weeks of the year. 

From September 2024, eligible working families will be entitled to up to 15 hours of funded childcare for their 9 month to 3-year-old children from the term after they turn 9 months old, and for up to 30 hours’ funded childcare for their 3 to 4-year-old children from the term following their third birthday.

15 and 30 hours of childcare for 9 months to 4-year-old children is provided free of charge in DCS schools and settings overseas.

ONA covers any compulsory costs occurred by parents such as registration and processing fees. Optional summer camps are not covered. When posted to a country where the statutory school age is later than it is in England, 30 hours of ONA can be claimed to replicate English school reception class hours.

What parents need to do

  1. Identify a suitable setting.
  2. Check eligibility by reading DIN information (below).
  3. Get sign-off from the Commanding Officer, Commander or Head of Location for non-DCS providers, or the Head Teacher/Early Years Manager for DCS providers.
  4. Keep supporting evidence or receipts of application forms and ongoing claims for audit purposes.

Who can apply?

Regular Service personnel, including FTRS FC and UKBCs posted overseas and Specially Recruited for Overseas Service.

You can’t use ONA:

  • when DCS settings with available capacity can be accessed
  • when using nannies
  • if you are a fee-paying contractor

How to apply

In locations with a DCS-provided school or setting

Parents are expected to use the childcare or early learning offer managed locally by the DCS provider.

Parents must complete the Funded Childcare Application Form at Annex C of DIN - Funded childcare entitlements and processes for overseas Service personnel and UK Based Civil Servants (UKBCs) with accompanying pre-school aged children (accessible by MOD personnel only) and forward it to the Head Teacher/Early Years Manager. 

In locations without a DCS-provided school or setting (or where parents are unable to meet the requirements)

Parents must complete the ‘Funded Childcare Application Form’ at Annex C of DIN - Funded childcare entitlements and processes for overseas Service personnel and entitled civilians with accompanying pre-school aged children (accessible by MOD personnel only), and forward it to the Commanding Officer, Commander or Head of Location, before enrolling their child(ren) at the school or setting and claiming ONA.

ONA can only be applied for when using childcare providers (or childminders) that have been registered, regulated and inspected by the host nation. Parents are responsible for ensuring that their chosen provider meets these criteria.

Upcoming addition to free childcare hours

From September 2025, eligible working families can claim up to 30 hours of free childcare for children aged 9 months up to school age. 

Returning to the UK

For childcare information when returning to the UK from overseas, please visit: Childcare for service children.

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