Free Funding for 3 and 4 Year olds - 15 hours
Early years free entitlement for 3 and 4 year olds
The free entitlement gives all eligible children the opportunity to take part in planned learning activities, and helps prepare them for school through the early learning goals set out in the Early Years Foundation Stage.
This entitlement offers children up to 15 hours of free early years provision a week for 38 weeks. This may incorporate lunchtime care. Pupils are eligible for this funding the term after their 3rd Birthday.
Additional sessions may be purchased if required, dependent on availability.
Click here for further details.
Free funding for 3 and 4 year olds - 30 hours
You may be able to get up to 30 hours free childcare (1,140 hours per year, which you can choose how you take).
If you’re eligible for the extra hours, you sign up online to get a code to give to your childcare provider to reserve your place. You’ll get the extra hours once the next term starts.
If you’ve already registered, you can sign in to your childcare account.
Eligibility
You can usually get 30 hours free childcare if you (and your partner, if you have one) are:
in work - or getting parental leave, sick leave or annual leave
each earning at least the National Minimum Wage or Living Wage for 16 hours a week - this is £125.28 if you’re over 25
This earnings limit does not apply if you’re self-employed and started your business less than 12 months ago.
You’re not eligible if:
your child does not usually live with you
the child is your foster child
either you or your partner has a taxable income over £100,000
you’re from outside the EEA and your UK residence card says you cannot access public funds
You can get 30 hours free childcare at the same time as claiming Universal Credit, tax credits or childcare vouchers.
If you cannot work
You may still be eligible if your partner is working, and you get Incapacity Benefit, Severe Disablement Allowance, Carer’s Allowance or Employment and Support Allowance.
Apply for 30 hours free childcare
You’ll need your details (and your partner’s, if you have one), including your:
National Insurance number
Unique Taxpayer Reference (UTR), if you’re self-employed
You’ll get a childcare account if your application is successful. You can use it to get your code for 30 hours free childcare.
If you pay for childcare and want to use Tax-Free Childcare to get help with costs, you can also apply using this service.
It usually takes 20 minutes to apply. You may find out if you’re eligible straight away, but it can take up to 7 days.