Funded childcare hours, made simple

A friendly guide to what you can get, when it starts, and how to apply. Use the buttons below to jump to the most useful sections.

What funded childcare can my child get?

What you’re entitled to depends on your child’s age and your family circumstances. Here’s a simple breakdown of the main funded childcare offers available, along with some important things to know.

Baby in nursery environment engaging in sensory play

From 9 months

Working Family Childcare Offer

Working parents in England with children aged 9 months and up may be eligible for 30 hours funded childcare from the term after their child turns 9 months, subject to eligibility.

This funded childcare can usually be taken on a term-time basis (38 weeks per year) or stretched across up to 51 weeks, depending on the provider.

Parents and carers must apply through the GOV.UK Childcare Service (accessed via the Childcare Choices website). Once approved, an eligibility code will be issued and must be shared with the nursery to access funded hours.

Eligibility must be reconfirmed every 3 months to continue receiving funding. The original eligibility code remains the same, and nurseries will re-validate it each term to confirm continued entitlement.

Preschool children engaged in nursery activity

From age 3

Universal 15 Hours Funding (3- & 4-Year Olds)

All children in England are entitled to 15 hours of funded early education per week from the term after their 3rd birthday.

This entitlement is not means-tested and is available to all families regardless of income or employment status.

The funded hours can usually be taken over 38 weeks of the year or stretched across up to 51 weeks depending on the provider.

No application is required for this entitlement. Parents must simply register with the nursery and confirm their child’s details.

Funding continues until the child starts reception class in school.

Two-year-old child engaged in early learning play

Age 2

2-Year-Old Funded Childcare

Some 2-year-old children in England may be entitled to 15 hours of funded childcare per week from the term after their 2nd birthday.

Your child may be eligible if you receive certain benefits or if they meet additional support needs.

Eligible families may include those receiving:

Income Support
Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
Universal Credit
Child Tax Credit
Pension Credit
Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999

Children may also be eligible if they:

Have an Education, Health and Care Plan
Receive Disability Living Allowance
Are looked after by the local authority or have left care through adoption, special guardianship, or a child arrangements order

Funded childcare is for 15 hours per week during term time, or it can be stretched across the full year.

Meals and extras: Parents and carers are responsible for the cost of any meals provided and any additional care outside the funded session.

Apply online: Working family funding should be applied for through the GOV.UK Childcare Service. This can be access via Childcare Choices

Need help? If you have any questions about any of the funding options above, please contact us.

Visit Childcare Choices

Navigate to calculators

Choose a location to view a quick estimate with funded hours applied.

How do I apply and check if I qualify?

Most funded childcare for working families is managed through the government childcare service. If you’re eligible, you’ll get a code to share with your nursery.

1. Apply online

Apply through the government childcare account and follow the steps to check eligibility. Start here.

2. Get your code

If eligible, you’ll receive a code to give to your nursery so we can validate and claim the funding.

3. Reconfirm regularly

Working-family codes usually need reconfirming every 3 months. If it lapses, funding can pause until it’s active again.

Is it funded all year?

Funded hours are a yearly total. Most families receive them over term time, and some nurseries spread the same total across more weeks.

Term time Delivered over 38 weeks

You get more funded hours per week, but they’re delivered during term time.

Example: 30 hours × 38 weeks = 1,140 funded hours per year

Stretched Same total, spread out

The same yearly total is spread across more weeks, so your weekly funded hours are lower.

Example: 1,140 hours ÷ 51 weeks = ~22.35 funded hours per week

Key takeaway: your funded hours reduce your childcare total. If you book more hours than your funded allowance that week, the additional time is simply charged at your nursery’s usual rate.

Common questions

Quick answers to the things families ask us most.

Why do I still have a bill if I have funded hours?

Funded hours cover the childcare hours only. Families may still pay for additional hours and optional extras such as meals, snacks, and consumables, depending on what’s included in your nursery offer.

Can a nursery charge “top-up” fees on funded hours?

Providers cannot charge for the funded hours themselves. They can charge for hours above your funded entitlement and for optional extras. You must be able to take up your funded entitlement without being forced to buy extras.

Can I split funded hours across two providers?

In many cases, yes. For example, you can split between nursery and a childminder. You’ll need to coordinate the split so the total doesn’t exceed your entitlement.

What if I forget to reconfirm my code?

If your code lapses, your funded entitlement may pause. This can mean charges apply until the code is active again. If this happens, speak to your nursery team as soon as possible so they can talk you through timelines and next steps.

Can I use other support alongside funded hours?

Many families can use other support to help cover additional hours and costs, depending on eligibility. This may include Tax-Free Childcare or Universal Credit support. You can explore options here: Help with childcare costs.

Where would you like to go next?

Explore our nursery locations or discover the values that guide everything we do.

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