30 Hours Government Funding

From September 2025 all eligible children from 9 months to 4 years old will be entitled to 30 hours of Government Funding.

How do I know if I am eligible?

The scheme is available for:

  • Working single parents or couples (both must work) and each earning between £120 a week and £100,000 per year

  • Self-employed parents are also eligible
    For eligibility checks you can visit the online government website.

https://www.gov.uk

If you are a working parent you can usually get free childcare (and your partner, if you have one) are:

  • In work or starting a new job

  • On sick leave or annual leave

  • On shared parental maternity or adoption leave

You must apply for a code by the end of the month before a new term starts. For example, if the term starts on 1 September you must apply by 31 August.

Providers may ask for a code before this deadline.

Check with your childcare provider to find out the exact date your free childcare starts.

When you have your code you will be asked by your provider to complete and sign a Funding Agreement and from here your provider will complete the remainder of the process for you.

15 Hours Government Funding

To register for Tax Free Childcare you will need to set up an online childcare account for your child.

For every £8 you pay into this account, the government will pay in £2, to use to pay your provider.

You can get Tax Free Childcare at the same time as 15 or 30 hours free childcare if you are eligible for both.

For further information visit https://www.gov.uk

Tax Free Childcare

All 3 to 4-year-olds in England are entitled to 15 hours of Government Funding a week for 38 weeks of the year.

This free early education and childcare:

  • must be with an approved childcare provider

  • stops when your child starts in Reception class (or reaches compulsory school age, if later)

You can get it from the term after your child’s 3rd birthday, starting on 1 January, 1 April or 1 September.

There is no need for you to apply, your provider will do this for you.

For further information visit https://www.gov.uk