FUNDING

Overview

We are proud to offer government-funded places. These aim to bridge socioeconomic gaps in England and support parents and carers in returning to work.

You may be able to get free childcare if your child is aged 9 months to 4 years old and you live in England.

You can get up to 30 hours of free childcare a week. The number of hours of free childcare you can get depends on the age of your child.

 

Who can get free childcare

To be eligible for free childcare, you (and your partner, if you have one) need to be in work or about to start a new job and earn over a certain amount.

You’ll need a National Insurance number to apply.

 

When to apply

You can apply for 30 hours of free childcare from when your child is 23 weeks old.

 

If you'er already getting 15 hours of free childcare

You’ll automatically get 30 hours of free childcare from September 2025, as long as you’re still eligible. You’ll need to confirm your details are up to date in the usual way and give the code to your childcare provider.

 

Other help you may be able to get

As well as getting free childcare if you’re working, you may be able to get either:

• Tax-Free Childcare
• Universal Credit childcare

 

HMRC will check if you’re eligible for Tax-Free Childcare when you apply for free childcare if you’re working.

You cannot get both Tax-Free Childcare and Universal Credit childcare at the same time.

 

How to apply

To apply you’ll need to set up a childcare account.

If your application is approved, you’ll get an 11-digit code that proves you’re eligible to get free childcare. You’ll need to give this code to your childcare provider.

 

Things you may have to pay for

Although the childcare is free, you may have to pay for some extra costs, such as:

• meals
• nappies
• additional hours
• additional activities, such as trips

 

We also continue to accept childcare vouchers (which is now closed for new entrants from the 4th October 18)

We cannot check eligibility for you; to find out whether you may be eligible and how to apply please click the check eligibility.