Apply for 30 hours funded childcare on GOV.UK
Sign up, create an account and apply for funding through the GOV.UK website.
Find guidance about accessing your childcare service account.
Who can apply?
All parents get up to 15 hours funded childcare per week for 3 and 4 year olds.
You could get up to 30 hours funded childcare in total if you and your partner (if you have one) work full or part-time hours.
You could still be eligible, even if you're on maternity, paternity or adoption leave, or if you're unable to work.
Check the full eligibility criteria to find out if you can claim.
If you're a foster carer who works and you meet the eligibility criteria, you can apply for 30 hours funded childcare.
What you will get
You can get up to 30 hours of funded childcare for 38 weeks of the year. Some childcare providers may allow you to use your funded hours over more weeks by using fewer hours each week. Speak to your chosen childcare provider to find out if you can spread the funding over more weeks.
Some providers may not offer 30 hours funded childcare, or they may only be able to offer a few extra hours. This could be due to available places or their opening times.
You can use your funded hours with more than one childcare provider.
The funding doesn't cover the cost of additional services or items and your childcare provider may charge extra for these. These could be:
- lunch
- nappies
- trips
- music classes
Even so, you must not be asked to pay a fee as a condition of taking up a 30 hours place, and must be offered alternative options such as choosing to provide your own child's lunch, for example.
When the funded childcare will start
You can get up to 30 hours funded childcare the term after your child's third birthday if you're eligible and apply before the deadline. This means it would start either in January, April or September.
You can continue to claim the funding for funded childcare until your child starts school. If you choose to defer your child's school place, you can continue to claim until your child reaches compulsory school age (the term following their fifth birthday).
What types of childcare can I use with the funding?
You can only use the funded childcare funding with registered or approved childcare providers who offer early education funding. This includes:
- childminders
- pre-schools, playgroups and nurseries
- out-of-school clubs
- home care workers working for a registered home care agency