Funded childcare for foster carers

1. Overview

If you are a foster carer of a child you may be able to claim extra funded childcare hours.

Accessing funded childcare must be consistent with the foster child's care plan.

You should talk to your foster child's social worker before you claim funded childcare for a foster child.

To claim some of the extra funded childcare hours the social worker will need to make a referral or sign your application. See the how to apply section for more information.

Accessing the funded hours will not be appropriate for every child in foster care. Children do not have to take up the full funded childcare entitlement. But, we would encourage all children in foster care to access some of the funded hours where possible.

Children aged 9 months to 23 months

Children in foster care aged from 9 months old, up until the term after their 2nd birthday may be able to get 15 hours funded childcare per week (up to a maximum of 570 hours per year).

From September 2025 this will rise to 30 hours per week (up to a maximum of 1140hours per year).

You may be eligible if you (and your partner, if you have one) are working outside your fostering role.

Eligible children can access the place from the term after they reach 9 months old. This is in line with working families' entitlements.

2 year olds

All 2 year old children in foster care are eligible for 15 hours funded childcare per week (up to a maximum of 570 hours per year) from the term after their 2nd birthday.

From September 2025 if you (and your partner, if you have one) are working outside your fostering role, you may be eligible for an additional 15 hours per week i.e. 30 hours per week up to a maximum of 1140 hours per year. This is in line with the working families' entitlements.

3 and 4 year olds

All 3 & 4 year old children in foster care are entitled to 15 hours universal funded childcare per week (up to a maximum of 570 hours per year).

If you (and your partner, if you have one) are working outside your fostering role, you may be eligible for an additional 15 hours per week i.e. 30 hours per week up to a maximum of 1140 hours per year. This is in line with the working families' entitlements.

Children can access the universal and working families' entitlements from the term after their 3rd birthday.