9 months- 3 years

Starting September 2024, the government is set to significantly expand childcare funding. Eligible working parents of children aged 9 months to 3 years will be entitled to 15 hours of funded childcare support. This initiative aims to ease the transition back to work for parents, ensuring your child receives quality care during these early, formative years. With this funding you are able to top up and pay for extra hours/sessions if needed. 

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Further proposed plans are as follows: ​

• From September 2025, eligible working parents of children under the age of 5 will be entitled to 30 hours of childcare a week. 

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2 year funding

Some families are entitled to 15 hours of free childcare each week (570 per year) if you have a child who has or is turning two-years old and you qualify for one of the following: 

• A household income of less than £16,190 per year 

• Job Seeker's Allowance 

• Income Support 

• Employment and Support Allowance 

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To check your eligibility, visit Childcare Choices.

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3 and 4 year funding

15 Hours of Free Nursery Education (Universal Funding) 

As a rule, every child in England gets 15 hours of free nursery education starting from the term after their third birthday. This is known as Universal Funding. It's in place to make sure you can give your child a head start without worrying too much about the financial implications. You are able to top-up and pay for extra hours if needed

 

30 Hours of Free Nursery Education (Extended Funding) 

This gives parents 30 hours of funded nursery education for little ones aged 3 to 4. To be eligible for this, both parents (or the sole parent in a single-parent household) should be working a minimum of 16 hours per week at the national minimum wage or living wage. This extended funding can really ease the financial load when it comes to nursery care. As with the 15 hours universal funding, you are also able to top up and pay for further sessions if needed.

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With both of the above options, children are entitled to this funding the term after they turn 3 years old age. Their birthday must fall before the cut-off date in order to receive the funding the following term. These dates are: 

• 31st August for the Fall term (September – December) 

• 31st December for the Spring term (January – April) 

• 31st March for the Summer term (May – August) 

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To check your eligibility and apply for funding, visit Childcare Choices.

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