When to apply

When to take up funding

Working parents: the scheme is open to children from 9 months. When you get your hours will depend on the date you apply. Details of this can be found on the UK Government website.

You can get up to 15 hours of free childcare per week. From September 2025 this will increase to 30 hours per week.

Families receiving additional support: the date you can claim will depend on when your child turns 2. If their birthday falls between:

• 1 January and 31 March you can claim from the term beginning on 1 April
• 1 April and 31 August you can claim from the term beginning on 1 September
• 1 September and 31 December you can claim from the term beginning on 1 January

In order to secure a place at a setting you can apply for the funding the term before your child become eligible.

The funding is for 15 hours of free childcare per week, based on a 38-week term-time offer or used over a full year using fewer hours per week. The funding can be taken with participating approved childminder, pre-school, day nursery or nursery schools. 

You may have to pay for extra costs such as meals, nappies, additional hours and trips.