GUIDE
Funded childcare, explained simply
Who gets 15 or 30 hours, when they start, and how to use them with us.
When your hours start
For working parents, funded hours begin the term after your child turns 9 months. You can apply from when your child is 23 weeks old — apply before the deadline in the last column.
| Turns 9 months | Hours start | Apply by |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Sep – 31 Dec (this term) | 1 January | 31 December |
| 1 Jan – 31 Mar | 1 April | 31 March |
| 1 Apr – 31 Aug | 1 September | 31 August |
This term: babies born 1 December 2025 – 31 March 2026 turn 9 months between 1 September – 31 December 2026, so hours can start from 1 January 2027 if you apply by 31 December 2026 — if you’re eligible.
Rules checked on gov.uk on 9 September 2026. Always check your own eligibility — Childcare Choices has a calculator, and gov.uk is where you apply.
15
hours a week
All 3 and 4 year olds
30
hours a week
Eligible working parents, 9 months to 4 years
Using your hours with us
- Bring your eligibility code to your visit
- We'll show how the hours map onto your days
- Bring your child's food and nappies and there's nothing extra to pay — any extras are itemised separately
- A stretched offer (fewer hours over more weeks) is available
- Tax-Free Childcare payments accepted too
Questions
If you are eligible, funded hours can start from 1 January 2027. You need to apply by 31 December 2026, and you can apply once your child is 23 weeks old.
Eligible working parents of children aged 9 months to 4 years in England can get up to 30 hours a week for 38 weeks a year. Each parent usually needs to expect to earn at least £2,643.68 over the next 3 months (if aged 21 or over) and not have an adjusted net income over £100,000. Check your eligibility on gov.uk.
All 3 and 4 year olds in England can get 15 hours of funded childcare a week for 38 weeks a year, whatever their parents earn. Some 2 year olds getting extra support can also get 15 hours.
For every £8 you pay into your childcare account, the government adds £2 — up to £500 every 3 months (£2,000 a year) per child, or up to £1,000 every 3 months (£4,000 a year) if your child is disabled. Your childcare provider must be signed up to receive payments.
Yes. Tell us how the hours are shared and we will show how they map onto your days with us.
Yes — we offer a stretched offer, so you can take fewer hours a week over more weeks instead of 38 term-time weeks.
Yes — we accept funded hours for eligible families. Any optional extras are explained up front, and we will always offer an alternative.