Free early education and childcare

Eligible working parents and carers of children aged 9 months to 23 months can access 15 hours funded early education and childcare (over 38 weeks a year) from the term after their child turns 9 months. From September 2025, the funding entitlement will increase up to 30 hours per week.

When can I apply for 15 hours free childcare funding

The application for a working family eligibility code for 15 hours of funding can be made when your child is 23 weeks old.

The table below shows when you can apply:

When your child is 9 months old on 1 September to 31 December 

• you can get your hours from term starting on or after 1 January
• you can apply from the term before 1 January

When your child is 9 months old on 1 January to 31 March

• you can get your hours from term starting on or after 1 April
• you can apply from the term before 1 April

When your child is 9 months old on 1 April to 31 August

• you can get your hours from term starting on or after 1 September
• you can apply from the term before 1 September

Application process for parents starting or returning to work 

Changes have been made to Childcare Regulations to extend the application window for those who are planning to start a new job or return to work from parental leave. This includes maternity, paternity, shared parental or adoption leave or pay.  

In the past, parents were only able to apply for an eligibility code 31 days before the date they started new work or returned to work from parental leave. 

As part of the new changes, parents who plan to start or return to work on or before 31 September 2024 will be able to apply for a code from 12 May, alongside other parents who intend to take up a place in September.  

Parents in this situation will need to apply online as normal but will receive a letter in the post, enabling them to access their entitlement.

Parents who plan to start or return to work between 1 October 2024 and 31 January 2024 will be able to apply for a code from 1 September 2024 to use from 1 January 2025.  Apply here Childcare Choices website

In future terms, parents will be able to apply from the following dates in the table below:

Date of starting or returning to work 1 May to 31 September 

• parents can apply from 1 April to 31 August 
• parents can use entitlements from 1 September

Date of starting or returning to work 1 October to 31 January 

• parents can apply from 1 September to 31 December 
• parents can use entitlements from 1 January 

Date of starting or returning to work 1 February to 30 April 

• parents can apply from 1 January to 31 March
• parents can use entitlements from 1 April

What you need to apply

You’ll need your details (and your partner’s, if you have one), including your:

• National Insurance number
• Unique Taxpayer Reference (UTR), if you’re self-employed

You’ll also need:

• the UK birth certificate reference number (if you have one) of any children you’re applying for
• the date you started or are due to start work (this can be approximate if more than 3 months ago)

For more information, please visit Get free childcare if you're working: step by step - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Early Years Pupil Premium (EYPP)

Early Education providers may be eligible for EYPP to help support a child. This funding is provided to help improve the learning and development of disadvantaged 9 months - 4 year old olds.

The early education providers can receive up to £388 per year to help with the child's education. The funding is directly sent to early years education providers.

EYPP Eligibility

In order to be eligible for the EYPP funds, your child must be aged 9 months - 4 year old obtaining 15 hours free childcare.

You must get one of the following to qualify:

• Income Support
• Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
• Support under part six of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
• The guaranteed element of State Pension Credit
• Child Tax Credit (provided you are not also entitled to Working Tax Credit) and have an annual gross income of no more than £16,190
• Working Tax Credit run-on, which is paid for 4 weeks after you stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit
• Universal Credit - your household income must be less than £7,400 a year after tax not including any benefits you get

You may also qualify if your child is:

• A looked after child
• Adopted
• Special Guardianship order
• Child Arrangements order

To apply for EYPP fund, contact your childcare provider.

Deadline for claiming funding

Children claiming funding under the 9 months working family criteria can claim until half-term. The latest they can start is the first day after half term, as long as we are notified by the Friday before half term via the childcare provider. After this deadline, claims under the working family criteria will not be accepted until the following term.