*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.

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:

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:

Parents will not be eligible if:

Full eligibility criteria are listed here.

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

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:

Children can start using their funded hours in the higher age groups based on their date of birth:

As of September 2025, children of eligible working parents from 9 months to 4 years can use 30 hours per week.

For 3 & 4 year olds, the entitlement is made of 2 parts: the Universal + Extended entitlement. All 3 & 4 year olds are eligible for the Universal entitlement of 15 hours. The Extended entitlement gives an additional 15 hours, to have 30 total per week.

The funding can be used for a maximum of 38 term time weeks per year. Some providers may offer stretching, to allow fewer hours to be used per week for more weeks of the year.

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:

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.

The Universal entitlement is for 15 hours per week.

Children of eligible working parents can use the Extended entitlement of an additional 15 hours, to use 30 hours total per week.

The funding can be used for a maximum of 38 term time weeks per year. Some providers may offer stretching, to allow fewer hours to be used per week for more weeks of the year.

A child is entitled to a funded place if the family is in receipt of one of the following 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:

They cannot have more than £16,000 in savings or investments.

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:

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:

Children eligible for this funding can use 15 hours per week, for a maximum of 38 term time weeks per year. Some providers may offer stretching, to allow fewer hours to be used per week for more weeks of the year.

There are two types of entitlement for 2 year olds - the Additional Support funding, and the Working Parent funding.

Most children will only be eligible for one type.

Some children may be eligible for both types of funding, in which case they can use 15 hours Additional Support funding entitlement, plus 15 hours Working Parent entitlement, to have 30 hours total per week. Eligibility must be approved for both entitlements.

The Early Years Pupil Premium (EYPP) is additional funding for early years providers to improve outcomes for children by providing them with enhanced learning and development support.

Providers should work in partnership with parents to carefully consider the learning and development needs of the child. Providers must be able to evidence how they are spending the additional funding received from EYPP to enhance the learning and development of children in receipt of this type of funding. Examples of this may be:

Children may be eligible to receive EYPP funding if their parents are claiming one of the benefits or credits listed below, or the child meets and of the “Other Criteria” below.

For children from low-income families accessing funding, providers are entitled to receive additional funding of up to £1.00 per funded hour.

Providers will receive EYPP funding that is proportionate to the number of funded hours that a child is taking up, to a maximum of 570 hours in the child’s funding year. This will be paid on a termly basis.

The application process is collaborative effort between providers and parents, with the process varying by local authority.

Providers should encourage parents to provide consent and necessary information, including their National Insurance number and date of birth, which is then submitted via the provider's online portal during the termly headcount claim. This allows the LA to check eligibility, and if the child qualifies, the additional funding is paid directly to the provider to support the child’s learning.

Disability Access Fund (DAF) provides funding to support children with disabilities or special educational needs. The DAF aids access to early years places by supporting providers in making reasonable adjustments to their provision.

Children may be eligible for DAF if they meet the following criteria:

If a child who is eligible for DAF is splitting their funded hours across two or more providers, the parent must nominate one of the settings to receive the DAF funding as this cannot be split.

The Disability Access Funding is payable as an annual lump sum per eligible child.

Funding is paid at the current fixed annual rate of £938.00 per eligible child.

The application for the DAF is a collaborative effort between providers and parents, though the specific forms can vary by local authority.

To apply, a parent must first nominate a single provider to receive the funding. The provider then completes an application form with the parent and submits it to the LA, along with a copy of the child's Disability Living Allowance (DLA) award notice. This is generally a one-time process for as long as the child remains at the setting and is eligible for DLA.