30 hours childcare for working families

  1. Overview
  2. Eligibility
  3. When to apply and term dates
  4. How to apply
  5. After you apply
  1. Find a nursery or childminder
  2. Hours and restrictions
  3. Other help with childcare costs
  4. Information and advice

3. When to apply and term dates

Eligible working families can now apply for 30 hours of childcare from the term after their child turns 9 months until they reach school age.

Your child can start in their childcare place the term after they reach 9 months old, providing you have received a valid eligibility code. 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

 

Foster carers

If you are a foster carer, there is a separate application process. Find out if you are eligible and how to apply as a foster carer.

How it works with maternity, paternity, shared parental or adoption leave

If you are applying for the child that is the subject of the parental leave, the date that you return to work from parental leave will affect when you can take up the childcare. The below dates apply:

If my child turns 9 months old between  I can access 30 funded hours from And I need to apply by
1 October to 31 January 1 September to 31 December 1 January
1 February to 30 April 1 January to 31 March 1 April
1 May to 30 September 1 April to 31 August 1 September

 

Starting a new job 

If you are Lancashire parents who are planning to start new work, you can also apply. The following dates apply:

If my child turns 9 months old between  I can access 30 funded hours from And I need to apply by
1 October to 31 January 1 September to 31 December 1 January
1 February to 30 April 1 January to 31 March 1 April
1 May to 30 September 1 April to 31 August 1 September

If you are on paid annual leave and receiving your salary as normal, this counts as having returned to work for the purposes of eligibility for the working parent entitlement. Find out more on the GOV.UK Childcare Choices website.

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