Childcare support and advice

30 hours childcare for working families with under 5 year olds

30 hours childcare for working families with under 5 year olds

As of September 2025, working parents with children aged 9 months to 4 years old can apply for 30 hours funded childcare per week for 38 weeks of the year.

You must take the funded childcare hours over a minimum of 38 weeks, for example 30 hours per week. If you prefer, you can take fewer hours over more weeks, for example 22.8 hours a week for 50 weeks. You can talk to your childcare provider about the options available.

When to apply

You can apply for the working childcare entitlement once your child turns 9 months old.

How to apply

You can apply for the working childcare entitlement on the government website.

What happens next

If you’re eligible, you will receive a childcare code online which is valid for 3 months. You'll need to give the code to your approved childcare provider.

Taking the childcare place

You must take the funded childcare at an approved childcare provider.

It starts from the term after you apply, if approved by HMRC.

It stops when:

  • your child starts reception class or reaches compulsory school age
  • you fail to reconfirm your entitlement every 3 months

You may have to pay for extra costs like meals, nappies or trips.

Further support

You can visit the Childcare Choices website which includes more detailed information about the extended entitlements. The site includes a childcare assessment tool, which you can use to identify the support you might be eligible for, based on your child's age and family circumstances.

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