Free 15 hours
All 3 and 4 year old children are eligible for 15 hours childcare funding.
It is available the term after your child turns 3 years old.
Families will receive 15 hours childcare for 38 weeks of the year (term time).
This is a universal entitlement for all children. Please talk to your childcare provider to let them know you would like to use these hours.
Some settings will allow you to stretch this funding over the whole year by reducing the weekly hours.
You do not need to apply for this funding. Please inform your childcare provider you would like to use this funding.
The 15 hours can be used at an Ofsted registered setting such as:
- private day nursery
- pre-school
- childminder
- registered Nanny
- nurseries attached to schools
Funding for childcare for your child starts the term after their birthday.
These are the general term dates of when your child will be eligible for their 3 / 4 year funding.
| A child born between: | If eligible can access funding from: |
| 1 April and 31 August | 1 September |
| 1 September and 31 December | 1 January |
| 1 January and 31 March | 1 April |