- Introduction
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Who can get funded childcare
- Funded childcare for working families
- Using your funded childcare hours
- Funded childcare declaration form
If you’re working, you may get funded hours for up to 38 weeks a year.
- 9 months to 2 years - 15 hours a week (rising to 30 hours in September)
- 3 and 4 year olds - 30 hours a week (an extra 15 hours on top of the 15 hours for all 3 and 4 year olds).
Who can get funded childcare for working families?
It's not about how many hours you work - it's about how much you earn.
To qualify, you (and your partner) must earn at least 16 hours' pay at .
It doesn’t matter if you work fewer than 16 hours - as long as your earnings meet the threshold.
You may still qualify if you get certain benefits and your partner works.
You will not qualify if:
- Your child does not usually live with you
- You or your partner earn over 拢100,000 a year
Not sure if you qualify?
Check if your family's working hours, income or benefits mean you can get funded childcare.
Visit
How to apply
You will need to:
- Check you qualify at at Childcare Choices (GOV.UK)
- Set up a childcare account (takes 20 minutes) to get an 11-digit code to give to your provider
- Every 3 months you must log into your account to reconfirm your code
When to apply
| Funding starts | Get your 11-digit code by |
|---|---|
| 1 January | 31 December |
| 1 April | 31 March |
| 1 September | 31 August |
What happens next
Use the to find a provider with a place for your child. Give your 11-digit code when you register with them.
Each funded period you will also need to complete a declaration form.
What you should know
You may qualify for other help with childcare costs. These include Universal Credit childcare or Tax-Free Childcare.
Find which options are open to you at or use the
If you forget to reconfirm your code or no longer qualify, you won't lose funding straight away. There is a grace period until the next funded period.
This gives you time to reconfirm your code or return to work.
- You cannot start at a new childcare provider during a grace period.
- Check your provider’s terms for any costs during the grace period.
If your funded hours don’t cover all the childcare you need, there are ways to pay for extra hours.