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

4. How to apply

Check you meet the current eligibility criteria and claim your childcare entitlement code or reconfirm your on the Childcare Choices website at the link below. You don’t need to reapply for a new code if you are already using 15 hours funded childcare for working families.

Simply continue to reconfirm your details every 3 months on your GOV.UK childcare account and your existing code will update automatically to enable you to take up 30 hours from September 2025.

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. See when to apply and term dates.

Apply for or renew your code

Video guide: how to apply

For a step-by-step guide on how to apply, watch the Department for Education video below with Early Years Educator, Steff, explaining the process.

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