Working families
Funded childcare places for children aged 9 months to 3 years
Eligible working families in England with children aged 9 months to 3 years can receive 15 hours of funded childcare a week for 38 weeks. The maximum each year is 570 hours.
- check the eligibility criteria
- apply for free childcare if you are working
Funded childcare places for children aged 3 and 4 years
Eligible working families in England with 3 and 4-year-old children can receive 30 hours of funded childcare a week.
- find out more about 30 hours childcare
- apply for 30 hours free childcare.
- frequently asked questions
Frequently asked questions
How do I apply?
When Should I apply?
You must have a valid code by the end of the month before a new term starts.
|
When your child turns 3 |
When they can get 30 hours from |
Recommended time to apply |
|---|---|---|
|
1 September to 31 December |
Term starting on or after 1 January |
15 October to 30 November |
|
1 January to 31 March |
Term starting on or after 1 April |
15 January to 28 February |
|
1 April to 31 August |
Term starting on or after 1 September |
15 June to 31 July |
How often do I need to renew my code?
To keep getting your 30 hours free childcare or Tax-Free Childcare, you must sign in every 3 months and confirm your details are up to date. Log in to your Childcare account
Other help with Childcare Cost
Tax fee Childcare
- Apply Online
- Tell your childcare provider and check they are registered to accept the scheme.
- You may wish to check first which scheme you're better off with depends on your situation. Use the childcare calculator to work out which type of support is best for you.
Tax-Free Childcare Frequently Asked Questions.
What makes me Eligible for Tax Free Childcare?
- You must be working
- The amount you or your partner are earning. You'll need to expect to earn a certain amount over the next 3 months. Check the details of the National Minimum Wage or Living Wage for 16 hours a week on average. If you have a partner they must earn at least this much too.
- To be eligible for Tax-Free Childcare, you (or your partner if you have one) must have a National Insurance number and
British or Irish citizenship. You may be considered if you meet other Criteria. Please see for more details. Check the details on Tax free childcare.
How old does my child have to be to Qualify?
- Your child must be 11 or under and usually live with you. They stop being eligible on 1 September after their 11th birthday. With this scheme you can get up to £2,000 per child, per year
- Adopted children are eligible, but foster children are not.
- If your child is disabled you may get up to £4,000 a year until they're 17. They're eligible for this if they:
- get Disability Living Allowance, Personal Independence Payment or Armed Forces Independence Payment
- are certified as blind or severely sight-impaired
How can I work out which is best for me?
Childcare Choices is the government website providing information about the different types of help with childcare costs. Families can use the childcare-calculator to find out what schemes they are eligible for and how much they can get towards the cost of their childcare.
Childcare Entitlements Frequently Asked Questions.
What else do I need to know?