Free early education and childcare for 2 year olds
15 hours for 2-Year-old for families in England, receiving some additional forms of government support
If you receive some additional form of government financial support, you could be eligible for funded childcare for your child when they turn 2. Children looked after by the local authority automatically qualify for this childcare.
How to apply
You can check the current eligibility criteria on GOV.UK.
Children who meet the criteria will qualify for the first full funding block of childcare following their second birthday.
The 3 blocks are:
- 1 September to 31 December
- 1 January to 31 March
- 1 April to 31 August
If you qualify
The online eligibility checker will give you a reference number to give to a childcare provider.
Your reference number must be checked by a childcare provider within 6 weeks of issue and be used to reserve a place, even if your child can't start straight away.
If the reference number isn't checked within 6 weeks, it will expire and you'll need to use the eligibility checker again to get another valid reference number.
15 hours for 2-year-old for eligible working families in England from April 2024
This will include:
- up to 15 of early education over 38 weeks of the year
- a total of 570 hours per year, that you can use flexibly with one or more childcare providers
Some providers will allow you to ‘stretch’ the hours over 52 weeks, using fewer hours per week.
You, and any partner, must each expect to earn (on average) at least £167 per week (equal to 16 hours at the National Minimum or Living Wage).
If 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 could still be eligible.
You can't get either 15 or 30 hours childcare if you, or your partner, each individually expect to earn £100,000 adjusted net income or more.
Your child can start in their childcare place the funding block after their 2nd birthday and have received a valid eligibility code. The funding blocks are dates are 1 September, 1 January, and 1 April.
You will be required to renew your details every 3 months.
It is available at participating early years and childcare providers, who are on the Early Years Register with Ofsted.
These can include:
- full day care (e.g nurseries)
- schools
- childminders
- sessional providers (e.g., playgroups/ preschool)
- Sure Start children's centres
- afterschool providers
Please view the government's step by step guide on applying for free childcare if you're working.
15 hours for children between 9 months and 23 months old for eligible working families in England (from September 2024)
This will include:
- up to 15 of early education over 38 weeks of the year
- a total of 570 hours per year, that you can use flexibly with one or more childcare providers
Some providers will allow you to ‘stretch’ the hours over 52 weeks, using fewer hours per week.
Further information will be released soon. Please refer to Childcare Choices.
30 hours for children from 9 months up to school age for eligible working families in England (from September 2025)
This will include:
- up to 30 of early education over 38 weeks of the year
- a total of 1, 140 hours per year, that you can use flexibly with one or more childcare providers
Some providers will allow you to ‘stretch’ the hours over 52 weeks, using fewer hours per week.
Further information will be released soon. Please refer to Childcare Choices.
It is the parent’s responsibility to check their eligibility for a 30-hour childcare place using the HMRC Childcare Choices website.
Eligibility must be re-confirmed every 3 months, before the end date is reached.
A parent or carer must have completed the eligibility check or re-confirmation of eligibility before the above dates. Any check made after this time will not be eligible until the next funding block.
It is the responsibility of the early year’s provider to remind parents and carers to re-confirm their eligibility. Early years providers can use the expiration dashboard on the Provider Portal to supply parents and carers with information regarding start and end dates of eligibility.
Providers must ensure they have seen and validated a 30 hours’ code before a funded place commences. Any check made after this time will not be eligible until the next funding block.
We cannot offer any discretionary funded places under any circumstances.
Please view the government's step by step guide on how to apply for 30 hours childcare.
Find a childcare provider
You can use the childcare at any good or outstanding Ofsted-registered childcare provider or childminder.
Last updated 21 March 2024