Free early education and childcare

All 3 and 4-year-olds are entitled to up to 15 hours a week of free early years education.

It must be with one of the approved childcare providers. This includes:

• day nurseries
• pre-schools
• playgroups
• independent school nurseries
• childminders

The entitlement starts the term after your child’s third birthday.

To get up to 15 hours per week of free early years education, find an approved childcare provider.

When will my child be eligible for the free entitlement?

Your child becomes eligible from the start of the term after they become 3 years old. 

• Child born between 1 September and 31 December is eligible from January, can start in the Spring Term
• Child born between 1 January and 31 March is eligible from April, can start in the Summer Term
• Child born between 1 April and 31 August is eligible from September, can start in the Autumn Term

30 Hour Childcare Funding

Children of working parents or carers, may qualify for an additional 15 hours a week. This makes 30 hours in total. It is dependent on whether parents or carers meet the national eligibility criteria.

You may be eligible for 30 hours funding if:

• You live in England
• Your child is between the age of 3 and 4
• Your income is less than £100,000 per year

Find out if you qualify for 30 hours free childcare using the Government's Childcare Calculator.

Eligibility codes and application

To get the 30 hours funding for your child, you will need to apply for the eligibility code via Childcare Choices.

For each term, you will have to apply for the code by a specific date for it to be valid for use. The table below will show dates of when you need to apply for the code by, for each term.

• Spring term, apply by 31 December
• Autumn term, apply by 31 August
• Summer term, apply by 31 March