What’s available

• Eligible families can get up to 30 hours of government-funded childcare per week (usually 38 weeks a year, term time) for children from 9 months up to school age. GOV.UK+1

• For all 3- and 4-year-olds, there is a universal entitlement of 15 hours/week free childcare, regardless of work status. 

Who’s eligible
You can apply for the extended funded hours if:
✔ Your child is aged from 9 months to 4 years (and lives with you in England). 
✔ You and your partner (if you have one) are in work or about to start work. This includes employed, self-employed or on certain leave (e.g., maternity/paternity). 
✔ You both earn at least the equivalent of 16 hours/week at National Minimum or Living Wage over the next 3 months. 
✔ Adjusted net income for each parent is £100,000 or less per year. 
✔ You have a National Insurance number and acceptable immigration status (e.g., British/Irish citizens or those with settled/pre-settled status). 

Note: There are other support schemes for childcare costs (e.g., extra support for 2-year-olds, Tax-Free Childcare), and these may apply in addition to or instead of the main funded hours. GOV.UK

How to apply

1. Create a Childcare Account on GOV.UK. 

2. Apply for the funded hours when your child is at least 23 weeks old — you’ll usually get an eligibility code instantly or within a few days. 

3. Give the code to your nursery along with your National Insurance number and your child’s date of birth. 

4. Reconfirm your eligibility every 3 months to keep receiving the funding. 

Important points for parents

• The funded hours cover the childcare place but don’t usually pay for meals, nappies, extra hours or special activities — you may be charged separately for these. Best Start in Life

• If you’re not eligible for the working-parents offer, your child may still qualify for the standard 15 hours free childcare at age 3–4, or other forms of support. 

Potential, new or existing working parents that wish to start accessing a funded place as of Summer Term 2026 (between 1^st April – 31^st August) must have applied by 31^st March 2026.

Parents must apply via HMRC at https://www.gov.uk/check-eligible-free-childcare-if-youre-working

If parents are due to start a new job or are on shared parental, maternity, paternity or adoption leave

The date in which they start a new job or return to work will affect when they can get funded childcare.  Any parents that will be returning to work by 30th April  2026 will still need to have applied by 31^st March.  Please see below;