Help with childcare costs

Help and support with childcare costs

Contents

Funded education

What you could receive

For children aged 9 months to *4 years. Eligible working parents could receive for 30 hours of early education funding from when their child turns 9 months old.

Families may get up to 1,140 hours per year, usually taken as:

  • 30 hours per week for 38 weeks
  • Stretch funding: fewer hours per week spread over more weeks. Not all providers offer this—please check with your childcare provider.

Note: Some children will receive 15 hours through the universal entitlement for all 3 and 4-year-olds.

Eligibility criteria

You may be eligible if you (and your partner, if applicable):

  • Are in work or starting a job, and expect to earn at least the equivalent of 16 hours per week at minimum wage over the next 3 months:
    • Age 21+: £2,539 before tax (£195/week)
    • Age 18–20: £2,080 before tax (£160/week)
    • Under 18 or apprentice: £1,570 before tax (£120/week)
  • Are on shared parental, maternity, paternity, or adoption leave
  • Are newly self-employed (in a start-up period): you don’t need to meet the income criteria for 12 months
  • Are in a couple household where one parent receives:
    • Incapacity Benefit
    • Severe Disablement Allowance
    • Carer’s Allowance
    • Limited Capability for Work Benefit
    • Contribution-based Employment and Support Allowance

You will not be eligible if you or your partner have an expected adjusted net income over £100,000 in the current tax year.

When can my child start?

Your child can start from the term after they turn 9 months old, and once you’ve successfully applied and received a code, whichever is later.

1 January to 31 March - funding starts from 1 April

1 April to 31 August - funding starts from 1 September

1 September to 31 December - funding starts from 1 January

How to apply

Once approved, you’ll receive a code to give to your childcare provider.

You must reconfirm eligibility every 3 months via your online account. You’ll receive reminders from GOV.UK.

Where can I use funded hours?

Most childcare providers accept funded hours, including:

  • Childminders
  • Pre-schools
  • Nurseries (private and school-run)
  • Some out-of-school clubs

Find childcare options in your area.

Additional support and schemes

You may also be eligible for:

Foster carers

Children in foster care may be eligible if:

  • The local authority agrees that the foster parent’s paid work (outside fostering) aligns with the child’s care plan
  • In two-parent foster households, both must have paid work outside fostering
  • Lone foster parents must also have paid work outside fostering

Foster carers must apply with their social worker via the Early Education and Childcare Team. Do not apply through Best Start in Life.

Foster carers will be prompted every 3 months by the local authority to reconfirm eligibility.

What if I'm no longer eligible?

  • Under 2s: If eligibility ends, you’ll lose funded hours and may need to pay for childcare. Check other support options via Best Start in Life.
  • 2-year-olds: May still qualify for 15 hours if receiving government support. See our Think2 funding page.
  • 3 and 4-year-olds: Will continue to receive the universal 15 hours.

What does funding cover?

Funded hours pay for early education time at a provider. They do not cover:

  • Meals
  • Nappies
  • Extra hours beyond the funded entitlement
  • Additional activities (e.g. trips)

Important: These extras must not be mandatory or a condition for accessing a funded place. Speak to your provider about options.