Who is eligible?
All 3 and 4 year old children are eligible for 15 hours funded childcare for 38 weeks of the year from the term following their third birthday. Children of working families could get up to 30 hours funded childcare.
We advise you to contact your chosen childcare provider the term before you want to use the funding to book your child’s place in good time. They will ask you to sign a parental agreement confirming how many hours you want to claim. The funding terms and conditions are listed on the parental agreement.
15 hours funded childcare
All parents get up to 15 hours funded childcare per week for 3 and 4 year olds. Speak to your childcare provider and they will apply for the childcare funding on your behalf.
30 hours funded childcare
Apply for 30 hours funded childcare on GOV.UK
Sign up, create an account and apply for funding through the GOV.UK website.
You could get up to 30 hours funded childcare per week 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.
You may also be eligible if you are starting a new job. The date you start a new job or return to work will affect when you can get free childcare.
| Date of starting or returning to work | When you can get your hours from |
|---|---|
| 1 May to 30 September | Term starting on or after 1 September |
| 1 October to 31 January | Term starting on or after 1 January |
| 1 February to 30 April | Term starting on or after 1 April |
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. You cannot use the government online application to get free childcare. Speak to your social worker if you want to apply.
What you will get
You can get up to 15 hours or 30 hours (if eligible) 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 only be able to offer limited hours due to availability of 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 funded 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 and when to apply
You can access the funded childcare the term after your child’s third birthday. This means the funding would start in January, April or September.
You can continue to claim the funding 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 end of the term in which they turn five).
| Child turns 3 between | Date child is eligible for funding from | Recommended time to apply |
|---|---|---|
| 1 September and 31 December | 1 January (spring term) | 15 October to 30 November |
| 1 January to 31 March | 1 April (summer term) | 15 January to 28 February |
| 1 April to 31 August | 1 September (autumn term) | 15 June to 31 July |
You must apply in good time to take your eligibility code to your childcare provider before the deadline. Many parents applying for 30 hours funded childcare will get a reply straightaway to say if they are eligible. Some parents will need to provide more information for their application.
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
You can't use the funding with a childcare provider if they're your child's relative. Relative means the child's:
- grandparent
- aunt or uncle
- brother or sister
Reconfirm your eligibility
Working families must reconfirm their eligibility code every 3 months, even if you haven't started claiming.
Can you claim other funding at the same time?
If you're eligible, you can claim through other funding schemes at the same time, including:
Find out which funding schemes work best for your family with the online childcare calculator.
Issues applying for tax-free childcare or an eligibility code
Find out what to do if you have any issues applying for an eligibility code.
If you've been unable to access Tax-Free Childcare or 30 hours funded childcare due to technical issues, you may be able to claim a top-up refund or compensation.
Make a complaint about your childcare provider or funding
Find out what to do if you want to complain about your childcare provider, funding or funded childcare.
Contact the HMRC Childcare Service helpline
HMRC Childcare Service helpline
Email: childcare.taxfree@hmrc.gsi.gov.ukTel: 0300 123 4097
Full contact details
Search for childcare
Search our Family Information Directory to find childcare providers who can offer the scheme. You can filter your search by those offering funded early education and childcare.
Search for childcare
Search our Family Information Directory to find childcare providers. You can filter your search by those offering funded early education and childcare.