Childcare and funding
Help with childcare costs is expanding!
Eligibility criteria, apply online and registered childcare providers.
Three and four year old funding
15 hours early education, registered childcare providers, 30 hours free childcare, how to apply and rechecking your eligibility.
Childminders, day nurseries, nursery school, pre-school and playgroups, out of school clubs, home carers, become a childcare provider and childcare sufficiency.
Ways to reduce your childcare bill, early education for 2, 3 and 4 year olds, tax free childcare, universal credit for childcare, childcare vouchers, Early Years inclusion funding.
Wraparound Childcare Programme
Find out about wraparound childcare, a form of childcare that ‘wraps around’ the conventional school day, with information for both parents and carers and providers.
Early Years Entitlement for Childcare providers
Register as a childcare provider for 2, 3 4 year old funding and registered providers secure page access.
Contact details
Families First Information Service
Email: [email protected]
Telephone: 01472 326292 (option 1)
Opening times: Monday to Thursday 8:30am to 5pm and Friday 8:30am to 4:30pm except bank holidays
Related website
Help with childcare costs for working families
Coming soon .. September 2024
15 hours a week free childcare for your child (aged from 9 months) if you are working.
Families can apply from 12 May 2024 on GOV.UK.
| When | From 9 months | 2 years old | 3 & 4 year olds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Now | Tax Free Childcare for working families (can claim from birth) Universal Credit for Childcare | 15 hours for disadvantage families (low or no income) Tax Free Childcare (working families) Universal Credit for Childcare 15 hours for working families (must receive the code by 31 March 2024 to access funding from April) | 15 hours for all 30 hours for working families Tax Free Childcare (working families) Universal Credit for Childcare |
| September 2024 | Tax Free Childcare for working families (can claim from birth) Universal Credit for Childcare 15 hours for working families (must receive the code by 31 August 2024 to access funding from September) | 15 hours for disadvantage families (low or no income) Tax Free Childcare (working families) Universal Credit for Childcare 15 hours for working families | 15 hours for all 30 hours for working families Tax Free Childcare (working families) Universal Credit for Childcare |
| September 2025 | Tax Free Childcare for working families (can claim from birth) Universal Credit for Childcare 30 hours for working families (must receive the code by 31 August 2025 to access funding from September) | 15 hours for disadvantage families (low or no income) Tax Free Childcare (working families) Universal Credit for Childcare 30 hours for working families (must receive the code by 31 August 2025 to access funding from September) | 15 hours for all 30 hours for working families Tax Free Childcare (working families) Universal Credit for Childcare |