30 hours free childcare for three and four year olds

Am I eligible?

You are eligible if:

• You or your partner each earn (on average) at least £152 per week.
• You or your partner are on maternity, paternity or adoption leave, or you're unable to work because you are disabled or have caring responsibilities.

You are not eligible if:

• Either you, or your partner, each earn £100,000 or more.
• Your child does not usually live with you.
• You're from a non European Economic Area (EEA) and your UK residence card says you cannot access public funds.

For more information and to see if you are eligible, visit Childcare Choices.

When your child can start

If you qualify, your child will claim this from the same time as they would for 3/4 year old nursery places (15 hours).

Who provides this childcare

• nurseries, pre-school playgroups and childminders - see Families Information Service: childcare listings, and filter on 'Free 3/4 yr places'
• all of our nursery schools

How to apply

Visit Childcare Choices to see if you are eligible and apply online.

When you apply you are given an 11 digit eligibility code. Take this code to your chosen childcare provider. You will also need to give them:

• the National Insurance number of the person who registered online
• your child's date of birth

When to apply

Parents or Carers will need to apply for their 30 hour eligibility code for their child through Childcare Choices during the term prior to their child becoming eligible on date of birth to access a 3 year old nursery place. You must have a valid code by the end of the month before a new term starts otherwise you will not be eligible to access a 30-hour place until the beginning of the following term.

You must have a 30-hour eligibility code by the end of the month before the new term starts.

Re-confirm that you are eligible

You must reconfirm that you are eligible to receive 30 hours free childcare every three months from the date you applied - if you do not you will lose it. You must do this, even if your child hasn't started their 30 hours place

A reminder will be sent to you by HMRC by text and/or email.

Login to your childcare account (Gov.uk) to reconfirm your eligibility.

The Grace Period

The government has introduced a "grace period" to enable parents to retain their childcare place for a short period should they become ineligible for the extended entitlement (30 hours funded childcare offer).  

This will allow continuity for the child and also give the parent sometime to regain employment. Early years and childcare providers can also be assured that if they offer the extended entitlement, they will not run the risk of having an empty place immediately should the parents circumstances change.

A child will enter "the grace period" when the child's parents cease to meet the eligibility criteria to receive the extended entitlement. 

The table below shows the grace period end dates:

What isn't included

Certain items may not be included, for example:

• meals
• nappies
• sun cream
• additional hours
• additional activities (such as trips).

Childcare providers may charge a fee for these. If you choose to pay for these it is an arrangement between you and the childcare provider.

However, you must not be required to pay any fee as a condition of taking up a 30 hours place, and must be offered alternative options (for example, providing your own food or nappies).