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

2. Eligibility

If you currently receive 15 hours for working families, just reconfirm as usual and the code will work for the 30 hours offer in September, providing you remain eligible and your provider has confirmed your new attendance pattern for your increased hours.

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).

Foster carers

There are different criteria for foster carers. Find out if you are eligible and how to apply as a foster carer.

Your immigration status

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
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