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

5. After you apply

Give your code to your childcare provider

If eligible, you'll get an online childcare account and a childcare code.

You'll need to give the code to your provider along with:

  • your National Insurance number
  • your child's date of birth

Reconfirm your details

You’ll need to reconfirm your details every 3 months via your GOV.UK childcare account. You’ll get a reminder when it’s time. If your code expires your 15 hours childcare entitlement will end. If you already have a childcare account to access tax free childcare, the dates for reconfirming will be aligned to the dates for tax free childcare, so the first reconfirmation. For example if your next reconfirmation date for tax free childcare is 15 July and you apply for working families on the 1 June the first code you are issued for working families will also expire on the 15 July, Following this they will be aligned to reconfirm every 3 months.

If you fall out of eligibility you will enter what is known as the grace period – this is a set period of time to support parents to continue accessing funded childcare to allow time to look for other employment should they choose to do so. Your provider will be able to tell you if you are in a grace period. 

If for any reason you are no longer eligible for 30 hours you should speak to your childcare provider about the grace period.

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