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.
There is no need to apply.
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
Additional 15 funded hours
Your may also be eligible for an additional 15 hours funding, on top of the 15 hours universal funding. This takes your weekly amount up to a maximum of 30 hours.
It is available the term after your child turns 3 years old.
Over the next 3 months you and your partner (if you have one) must each expect to earn at least:
- £2,539 before tax if you’re aged 21 or over (equivalent to £195 per week)
- £2,080 before tax if you’re aged 18 to 20 (equivalent to £160 per week)
- £1,570 before tax if you’re under 18 or an apprentice (equivalent to £120 per week)
This is the National Minimum wage for 16 hours a week on average.
The 30 hours can be used at an Ofsted registered setting such as:
- full day care (eg nurseries)
- schools
- childminders
- sessional providers (eg playgroups)
- after school clubs
You will need to apply for the extended hours.
You will be issued a code which you need to share with your chosen childcare provider.
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 2 or 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 |
Some providers will allow you to ‘stretch’ your funding over the whole year by reducing your weekly hours. You can use this funding with one or more registered settings.