Funding Age Ranges
Children can start using funding the term after they reach the relevant age.
Here are the eligible date of birth ranges for the current and upcoming terms:
Term | 9 - 23 month olds | 2 year olds | 3 - 4 year olds | School eligible 4 year olds* |
Summer 2025 | 01/04/2023 to 30/06/2024 | 01/04/2022 to 31/03/2023 | 01/09/2020 to 31/03/2022 | 01/04/2020 to 31/08/2020 |
Autumn 2025 | 01/09/2023 to 30/11/2024 | 01/09/2022 to 31/08/2023 | 01/09/2021 to 31/08/2022 | 01/09/2020 to 31/08/2021 |
Spring 2026 | 01/01/2024 to 31/03/2025 | 01/01/2023 to 31/12/2023 | 01/09/2021 to 31/12/2022 | 01/01/2021 to 31/08/2021 |
Summer 2026 | 01/04/2024 to 30/06/2025 | 01/04/2023 to 31/03/2024 | 01/09/2021 to 31/03/2023 | 01/04/2021 to 31/08/2021 |
*School eligible 4 year olds
*School eligible 4 year olds
*Most children start reception at school in the Autumn term after they turn 4. They are no longer entitled to use their government-funded hours at a childminder once they have started school.
If a child does not start school (e.g., they defer their start date or are home-schooled), they may use their government-funded hours until they reach compulsory school age, which is the term after they turn 5.
Eligibility & Application Process
The process for applying for funding and the types of funding a family may be eligible for depend on the child’s age and the household income. To easily see which types of funding a family may be eligible for, use the interactive tool on Childcare Choices.
Funding for Working Parents (Ages 9 Months to 4 Years)
Eligibility Criteria
Eligibility Criteria
To qualify for a childcare code, parents and their partners (if applicable) must meet the following criteria. Over the next three months, each must expect to earn at least:
£2,380 before tax if aged 21 or over (equivalent to £183 per week)
£1,788 before tax if aged 18 to 20 (equivalent to £137 per week)
£1,331 before tax if under 18 or an apprentice (equivalent to £102 per week)
This is the National Minimum Wage or Living Wage for 16 hours a week on average.
Parents can use an average of their expected earnings over the current tax year if:
They work throughout the year but do not get paid regularly.
They are self-employed and do not expect to earn enough in the next three months.
Parents will not be eligible if:
The child does not usually live with them.
Either partner has an expected adjusted net income of over £100,000 in the current tax year.
When to Apply
When to Apply
Parents can apply for 30 hours of childcare from when their child is 23 weeks old.
If parents apply more than three months before the start of the new term, they will need to reconfirm their details before the end of the month prior to the start of the new term to maintain eligibility.
9 Months and Above
Child's Date of Birth | Child Turns 9 Months | Becomes Eligible | Deadline for Applying |
1 July to 30 November | 1 April to 31 August | Start of Term 1 (after summer holiday) | 31 August |
1 December to 31 March | 1 September to 31 December | Start of Term 3 (after Christmas/New Year holiday) | 31 December |
1 April to 30 June | 1 January to 31 March | Start of Term 5 (after Easter holiday) | 31 March |
If a parent is returning from parental leave or starting a new job, their start or return date will affect when they can get free childcare:
Date of Starting or Returning to Work | When They Can Get Their Hours From |
1 May to 30 September | Term starting on or after 1 September |
1 October to 31 January | Term starting on or after 1 January |
1 February to 30 April | Term starting on or after 1 April |
2 to 4-Year-Olds
Children can start using their funded hours in the higher age groups based on their date of birth:
Child Born Between | Becomes Eligible |
1 January and 31 March | Start of Term 5 (after Easter holiday) |
1 April and 31 August | Start of Term 1 (after summer holiday) |
1 September and 31 December | Start of Term 3 (after Christmas/New Year holiday) |
How to Apply
How to Apply
Parents must set up a childcare account via HMRC.
If the application is approved, parents will receive an 11-digit code to give to their childcare provider. This is a unique code per child and will remain the same until the child starts school.
Parents must reconfirm their code via the HMRC portal every three months to maintain eligibility.
Universal 3 and 4-Year-Olds
Eligibility Criteria
Eligibility Criteria
All 3 and 4-year-olds in England are entitled to 15 hours of free childcare per week for 38 weeks a year.
Children can start using their 15 hours based on their date of birth:
Child Born Between | Becomes Eligible |
1 January and 31 March | Start of Term 5 (after Easter holiday) |
1 April and 31 August | Start of Term 1 (after summer holiday) |
1 September and 31 December | Start of Term 3 (after Christmas/New Year holiday) |
Parents do not need to apply for this funding or provide any codes or proof of eligibility.
The only documents that may be required are the child's proof of date of birth and parental proof of address.
Funding for Disadvantaged or Children with Additional Support (2-Year-Olds)
Eligibility Criteria
Eligibility Criteria
A child is entitled to a funded place if the family is in receipt of one of the following benefits:
Income Support
Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
Universal Credit, with a household income of £15,400 a year or less after tax (not including benefit payments)
Child Tax Credits, with a household income of £16,190 a year or less before tax
The guaranteed element of Pension Credit
The Working Tax Credit 4-week run on (the payment when they stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit)
2-year-olds can also get a place if they meet any of the following criteria:
They are looked after by a local council.
They have a current Statement of Special Educational Needs (SEN) or an Education, Health and Care (EHC) plan.
They receive Disability Living Allowance.
They have left care under a special guardianship order, adoption order, child arrangements order, or residence order.
Non-UK Citizens Who Cannot Claim Benefits
If a family’s immigration status says they have ‘no recourse to public funds,’ they may still get free childcare for their 2-year-old. The family must live in England and their household income must be no more than:
£26,500 for families outside of London with one child
£34,500 for families within London with one child
£30,600 for families outside of London with two or more children
£38,600 for families within London with two or more children
They cannot have more than £16,000 in savings or investments.
When to apply
When to apply
Parents can apply from when their child is 1 year and 10 months old.
Children can start using their 15 hours based on their date of birth:
Child born between | Will become eligible for free early education and childcare |
1 January and 31 March | Start of Term 5 (after Easter holiday) |
1 April and 31 August | Start of Term 1 (after summer holiday) |
1 September and 31 December | Start of Term 3 (after Christmas/New Year holiday) |
How to apply
How to apply
The application process for funded childcare can vary by local authority. It is essential to confirm the specific requirements with their local authority.
Key points for parents to be aware of:
Some local authorities require parents to apply online via their parent portal.
In some cases, children who qualify may be sent a letter, or awarded a "Golden Ticket" by the local authority, which serves as proof of eligibility.
Parents are always required to provide their childcare provider with evidence of their child’s eligibility. This may include a funding code, a Golden Ticket, or other documentation as specified by the local authority.
If a child attends a childcare provider located in a different local authority than where the child lives, evidence of eligibility may be required from both local authorities to guarantee the placement.