30-hours Application Process
Parents/carers with children aged 3 and 4 years may be entitled to an extra 15 hours a week of flexible free childcare, entitling them up to 30 hours a week for at least 38 weeks of the year, subject to eligibility and availability.
Please enquire for more information or about the application process. For further guidance and advice, you can also follow the links below:
Get 30 hours free childcare: step by step – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Help paying for childcare: 15 hours free childcare for 3 and 4-year-olds – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
30 Hours Funding Codes
All codes must be given to providers before the cut-off date to ensure continuation of funding.
Cut off dates for funding are:
- 31 March
- 31 August
- 31 December
2-Year-Old Funding
We also offer two-year-old funding for children in the local community who meet the criteria as set out by the Local Authority. Parents/carers who meet the criteria can apply for a Free Early Learning place to fund childcare sessions for 15 hours per week.
Please enquire for more information or to find out more about the application process.
Frequently Asked Questions about 30 hours funding
What is this funding scheme?
It is a government-backed scheme, the Free Childcare for Working Parents entitlement, under which eligible working parents in England can get up to 30 hours of free childcare per week during term time for children from 9 months old up to school age.
When can my child start receiving the funded hours?
You can apply when your child is 23 weeks old (i.e., about 5½ months).
However, the funded hours start from the term after your child turns 9 months old, depending on which date your child’s 9-month birthday falls in relative to the term dates.
For example:
- If your child turns 9 months between 1 April and 31 August, funding begins 1 September after that.
- If the birthday is between 1 September and 31 December, funding begins 1 January.
- If between 1 January and 31 March, funding begins 1 April.
Who is eligible?
To qualify, you must meet several criteria:
- You (and your partner, if applicable) must be working (employed or self-employed) or about to start a new job.
- Your child must live with you in England and be eligible for “approved childcare”.
- Each parent must expect to earn at least the equivalent of working 16 hours a week at the National Minimum Wage (or Living Wage) on average over the next 3 months.
- Neither you nor your partner should individually expect your adjusted net income to exceed £100,000 in the tax year.
- Immigration / residence status: You’ll need to meet the residence requirements for free childcare entitlement.
How many hours are we talking about and how are they delivered?
Up to 30 hours a week during term time (typically 38 weeks) for children from ~9 months until school age.
How do I apply for this funding?
You apply via the official childcare account on the government website.
You’ll need your National Insurance (NI) number, your partner’s if applicable, Unique Taxpayer Reference (UTR) if self-employed, your child’s birth certificate reference number, the date you started (or will start) work etc.
After application and approval you will get an 11-digit eligibility code which you must provide to your childcare provider.
What are the key deadlines?
Apply before the deadline set for the term you want the funding to start, because if you miss the deadline you’ll have to wait until the next term.
Deadlines:
- For funding from 1 January → apply by 31 December.
- For funding from 1 April → apply by 31 March.
- For funding from 1 September → apply by 31 August.
What happens if my circumstances change?
You must reconfirm your eligibility every 3 months via your childcare account.
If you become ineligible (for example your earnings drop, you stop working etc) you may lose the 30-hour entitlement—but you may still access the universal 15-hour entitlement (if your child is 3-4 years old).
There is a “grace period” if you miss a reconfirmation deadline – your child can still keep the funded place for a short time while you sort things out.
Are there any additional costs or things parents should watch out for?
The funding covers the hours of childcare, but it does not cover extra items such as meals, nappies, uniforms, trips, or other additional activities. We charge separately for these (though they must be voluntary and not compulsory for access to the funded place).
Up to what age is my child eligible for the 30 hours?
The entitlement is available from the term after your child turns 9 months until they start school (reception year).
The funding stops when the child becomes of compulsory school age and starts in a reception class – not simply when they turn 5.
My child is turning 9 months but in the middle of a term — when will funding start?
It depends on when your child’s birthday falls relative to the term start dates. If the child turns 9 months part way through a term, the funding will usually begin at the start of the next term.
For example: if your child turns 9 months on 15 May (which falls in the April-August bracket), then your funded hours would begin on 1 September (start of the next term) not immediately.
It is your responsibility to ensure the code is reconfirmed every three months to maintain eligibility. This is a recurring process rather than a single ‘refresh’ at a set time of the year. If your code has run out, you will need to pay for your child’s nursery fees. You must sign in to your childcare account every 3 months to confirm your child’s details are up to date.
