All 3 and 4 year old children are eligible for 15 hours of funded childcare.
You could get up to 30 hours funded childcare in total if you and your partner (if you have one) work full or part-time hours.
- You could still be eligible, even if you're on maternity, paternity or adoption leave, or if you're unable to work.
- Check the full eligibility criteria to find out if you can claim.
- If you're a foster carer who works and you meet the eligibility criteria, you can apply for 30 hours funded childcare.
How to apply for 15 hours funded childcare for 3 and 4 year olds
Speak to your childcare provider; they will apply for the childcare funding on your behalf.
We advise you to contact your chosen childcare provider the term before you want to use the funding to book your child's place in good time. They will ask you to sign a parental agreement confirming how many hours you want to claim. The funding terms and conditions are listed on the parental agreement.
You'll need to apply online if you're claiming extra hours under the 30 hours funded childcare scheme.
How you use 15 hours of childcare
You can get up to 15 hours of funded childcare for 38 weeks of the year. Some childcare providers may allow you to use your funded hours over more weeks by using fewer hours each week. Speak to your chosen childcare provider to find out if you can spread the funding over more weeks.
Some providers may not offer 15 hours funded childcare, or they may only be able to offer limited hours. This could be due to available places or their opening times.
You can use the 15 hours at more than one childcare provider.
Working parents may be able to get an additional 15 hours a week. This could be up to 30 hours funded childcare in total.
The funding doesn't cover the cost of additional services or items and your childcare provider may charge extra for these. These could be:
- Lunch
- Nappies
- Trips
- Music classes
Even so, you must not be asked to pay a fee as a condition of taking up a 15 hours place, and must be offered alternative options such as choosing to provide your own child's lunch, for example.