Funded childcare for working parents

If you or your partner each earn the national minimum wage (or living wage) for 16 hours a week on average, and less than £100,000 you may be eligible

You can get:  

• 15 hours a week if your child is nine months to two years old
• 30 hours a week if your child is three to four years old

When to apply for 15 hours funded childcare

You can apply from when your child is 23 weeks old.

Check with your childcare provider to find out the exact date your free childcare starts.

When to apply for 30 hours funded childcare

You can apply from when your child is two years and 36 weeks.

You must apply by the end of the month before a new term starts. For example, if the term starts on 1 September you must apply by 31 August. Providers may ask for a code before this deadline.

Check with your childcare provider to find out the exact date your free childcare starts.

Who provides this childcare

• Nurseries
• Childminders
• Schools

 Visit Families Information Service: childcare listings to find what is available in your area.

How to apply

Visit Childcare Choices to see if you are eligible and apply online.

What you can and cannot be charged for when using funded childcare

The DfE state that all parents who are eligible should be able to access a funded childcare place, which must be delivered completely free of charge. This is set out in paragraph A1.30 of the current statutory guidance and A1.33 of the updated statutory guidance applicable from 1 April 2024.

What is allowed - consumables and additions:

• Government funding is intended to deliver 15 or 30 hours a week of free, high quality, flexible childcare. It is not intended to cover the costs of meals, other consumables, additional hours or additional services. Providers can charge for meals and snacks as part of a free entitlement place and they can also charge for consumables, such as nappies or sun cream, and for additional services such as trips and specialist tuition. (Paragraph A1.30 of the statutory guidance).
• If a parent is unable to pay for consumables, or if a parent wishes to provide their own, then the parent and provider can discuss alternative options. This could include allowing parents to supply their own meals or nappies, or waiving or reducing the cost of meals and snacks.
• Charges for consumables or additional services should not be made a condition of accessing a free place. (As set out in paragraph A1.33 of the guidance.)

What is not allowed:

• Councils should ensure that providers do not charge parents "top-up" fees (any difference between a provider's normal charge to parents and the funding they receive from the council to deliver free places).
• Core costs of running a business that delivers government-funded childcare are not consumables used by the child or additional services provided to the child. These include, but are not limited to, insurance, Ofsted registration, maintenance, business rates, training costs, rent and energy bills. These are core costs of running a business and parents should not be charged.