Three and four year old funding

15 hours free childcare

All 3 to 4 year olds can get the 570 hours free early education or childcare.

Usually the hours are taken as 15 hours a week for 38 weeks of the year (term time). You don’t have to use all the hours your child is entitled to, but you can chose to use fewer hours over more weeks of the year.

How does it work?

You do not need to apply for this funding. Your child is eligible for the universal hours the term after their third birthday, up until they enter reception or are the statutory school age (the term after they are five).

If your child turns 3 on or between	Your child can start using their hours from
1 April to 31 August	1 September
1 September to 31 December	1 January
1 January to 31 March	1 April

Minimum of two days a week
Sessions can’t be longer than 10 hours a day, or shorter than 2 and a half hours a day
Hours must be between 6am and 8pm
Funding can be split between a maximum of two providers

Choosing a childcare provider

Your entitlement to free childcare doesn’t guarantee you a place with your first choice of childcare provider. It’s up to a provider what hours and places they offer, and you need to check that what spaces are available.

View the list of Early Years providers for 3 and 4 Year Olds (Word, 60KB) who offer funded places.

30 hours free childcare

Children aged 3 to 4 years could have 1,140 hours a year of free early education or childcare. Every parent living in the household with the child must:

work an average of 16 hours per week
earn the equivalent at National Minimum Wage or Living Wage (around £125 a week at National Living Wage)
expect to earn less than £100,000 a year

If you are separated, you and your ex-partner need to decide who should apply if you are jointly responsible for your child. Both parents cannot both have accounts for the same child. If you cannot decide, both of you must apply separately and HMRC will decide who gets a childcare account.

You may be eligible if you:

are on maternity, paternity or adoption leave
are unable to work because you are disabled or have caring responsibilities
receive incapacity benefit, severe disablement allowance, carer’s allowance or employment and support allowance

Apply

Before you start, you’ll need:

Your details
Your partner’s details (if you have one)
National Insurance Number
Unique Taxpayer Reference (UTR), if you’re self-employed

Successful application

You’ll receive an 11 digit code which you must give to your chosen childcare provider, along with your National Insurance Number and your child’s date of birth.