Skip to main content

Childcare and funding

Help with childcare costs is expanding!


Two year old funding

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.


Childcare providers

Childminders, day nurseries, nursery school, pre-school and playgroups, out of school clubs, home carers, become a childcare provider and childcare sufficiency.


Funding for childcare

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.


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)

Childcare Choices

Opening times: Monday to Thursday 8:30am to 5pm and Friday 8:30am to 4:30pm except bank holidays

Related website

GOV.UK Back to school


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.

WhenFrom 9 months2 years old3 & 4 year olds
NowTax 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 2024Tax 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 2025Tax 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