Apply for 30 hours childcare for working families
Eligible working families can apply for 30 hours of childcare a week, from the term after their child turns 9 months until they reach school age.
Read this guide to find out more or visit free childcare for working parents on GOV.UK to check if you are eligible and apply.
We've also got everything you need to know about how to use your 30 hours childcare for working families.
Who is eligible
You will need to meet the following criteria in order to be eligible for 30 hours funded childcare for working families:
You, and any partner (if you have one) must expect to earn the equivalent to 16 hours at National Minimum or Living Wage over the coming three months (you can see current National Living Wage and National Minimum Wage rates on GOV.UK)
This applies whether you are in paid employment, self-employed or on zero hour’s contract.
The parent (and their partner where applicable) should be seeking the funded childcare to enable them to work.
Where one or both parents are on maternity, paternity, shared parental or adoption leave, or if they are on statutory sick leave.
Where one parent meets the income criteria and the other is unable to work because they are on carer's leave or get any of the following:
Incapacity Benefit
Severe Disablement Allowance
Carer’s Allowance
Limited Capability for Work Benefit
Contribution-based Employment and Support Allowance
Where a parent is in a ‘start-up period’ (i.e. they are newly self-employed) they do not need to demonstrate that they meet the income criteria for 12 months.
You and your partner (if you have one) earn up to £100,000 adjusted net income (External link: GOV.UK) per year. If you or your partner (if you have one) have an expected adjusted net income over £100,000 in the current tax year, you will not be eligible.
If you are still not sure if you are eligible see the Childcare Choices eligibility checker. (External link: GOV.UK).
There are different criteria for foster carers. Find out if you are eligible and how to apply as a foster carer.
To be eligible for funded childcare for working parents, you (and your partner if you have one and if they live with you) must have a National Insurance number.
The person who applies must also have at least one of the following:
British or Irish citizenship
Settled or pre-settled status, or you have applied and you’re waiting for a decision
Permission to access public funds - your UK residence card will tell you if you cannot do this
When to apply and term dates
You can apply from when your child is 23 weeks old and take up a place from the term after your child turns 9 months old.
You must have received a valid eligibility code before your child can start in their childcare place.
If you do not confirm your eligibility and receive an 11-digit code by the date listed below, you will not be able to access your additional hours until the start of the next term.
If my child turns 9 months old between | I can access 30 funded hours from | And I need to apply by |
|---|---|---|
1 September to 31 December | Term starting on or after 1 January | 31 December |
1 January to 31 March | Term starting on or after 1 April | 31 March |
1 April to 31 August | Term starting on or after 1 September | 31 August |