Childcare is one of the biggest costs families face, but government-funded hours can make a real difference. In England, eligible families can get help from when their child is 9 months old right up until they start school. The schemes can feel confusing at first, with different rules for different ages, codes to apply for and deadlines to meet.
This guide explains what’s available, who qualifies and how to apply, so you can make the most of your entitlement at Kiddiwinks. The schemes below apply to families living in England. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland run their own schemes.
What you’re entitled to
There are three main schemes. Which ones you can use depends on your child’s age and your family’s circumstances.
| Scheme | Child’s age | Free hours | Who can get it | How to apply |
| Free Childcare for Working Parents | 9 months to 4 years | 30 hours a week | Working families who meet the earnings rules | Online through a GOV.UK childcare account |
| Universal 15 hours | 3 to 4 years | 15 hours a week | All families in England | Through your nursery or local council |
| Early Learning for 2 year olds | 2 years | 15 hours a week | Families on certain benefits, or children with extra needs | Through your local council |
All hours are based on 38 weeks a year, in line with school terms. Many nurseries let you “stretch” your hours, taking fewer hours a week across more weeks of the year.
For 3 and 4-year-olds, the working parents scheme includes the universal 15 hours, so eligible families get 30 hours in total, not 45. Funded hours stop once your child starts Reception class.
Who qualifies for 30 hours?
To get Free Childcare for Working Parents, you and your partner (if you have one) must generally both be working. You also need to meet these conditions:
- Minimum earnings. Each of you must expect to earn at least the equivalent of 16 hours a week at the National Minimum or Living Wage. For someone aged 21 or over, that’s £2,643.68 over the next three months, or about £203 a week.
- Maximum income. Neither of you can have an adjusted net income over £100,000 a year.
- Residence. You must live in England and have a National Insurance number.
You can still qualify if you’re on maternity, paternity, adoption or shared parental leave, or on sick leave. You may also qualify if you’re not working but your partner is and you receive certain benefits, such as Carer’s Allowance. Self-employed parents and those who have just started a business can qualify too.
How to apply for the 30 hours
- Apply early. You can apply from when your child is 23 weeks old. Funded hours start at the beginning of the term after your child becomes eligible, on 1 January, 1 April or 1 September. You need your code by the end of the previous term.
- Set up a childcare account on GOV.UK. Have your National Insurance number ready, plus your partner’s. If you’re self-employed, you’ll also need your Unique Taxpayer Reference. Applying takes about 20 minutes.
- Get your code. If you’re eligible, you’ll receive an 11-digit code, usually straight away but sometimes within seven days.
- Give the code to your nursery. Share it with your National Insurance number and your child’s date of birth, so the nursery can check it and claim the funding.
- Reconfirm every three months. Sign in to your childcare account and confirm your details are still correct. If you miss this, your code can stop working and you could lose your funded place.
For the universal 15 hours for 3 and 4-year-olds, there’s no online application. Just speak to your nursery. For the 2-year-old offer, contact your local council’s early years team or Family Information Service.
Using your funded hours at nursery
Funded hours cover your child’s care and education, but nurseries may charge for optional extras such as meals, nappies, trips or hours beyond your entitlement. These must be genuinely optional. If you’d rather not pay for them, your provider should agree an alternative, such as sending in a packed lunch or your own nappies. Nurseries can’t charge top-up fees or non-refundable registration fees for your funded hours.
If you work longer hours, you can pay for extra sessions on top of your funded time. Tax-Free Childcare can help with these costs, as the government adds £2 for every £8 you pay in. At Kiddiwinks, we’re happy to talk you through how your funded hours could work around your family’s routine.
Frequently asked questions
When can my child start their funded hours? Funded hours begin at the start of the term after your child becomes eligible, on 1 January, 1 April or 1 September. For example, a child who turns 9 months in October can start in January, as long as you have your code by 31 December.
I’m on maternity leave. Can I still apply? Yes. You can usually apply while on maternity, paternity, adoption or shared parental leave, as long as you plan to return to work within a set period. Check the timings on GOV.UK when you apply.
What happens if I forget to reconfirm? Your code may stop being valid, and you could lose your funded hours. Set a reminder for every three months. You’ll also normally get a text or email when reconfirmation is due.
Can I split my funded hours between two providers? Often, yes, for example between a nursery and a childminder. Both need to offer funded places and agree to the arrangement, so speak to each provider first.
Is funded childcare completely free? The funded hours themselves are free, but you may be offered optional extras such as meals or trips. You shouldn’t be required to pay for these to get your place.
Can I use Tax-Free Childcare as well? Yes. Tax-Free Childcare can be used alongside funded hours to pay for extra sessions and extras. The government adds up to £2,000 a year per child, or £4,000 for a disabled child. You can’t use it at the same time as Universal Credit childcare support.
How do I use my funded hours at Kiddiwinks? Get in touch with our team to check availability and talk through your options. Once you have your code, we’ll handle the rest.
Sources (checked 12 October 2026)
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About the author
Claire Fox-Tristram is the Director of Kiddiwinks Day Nursery and has more than 25 years of experience in the early years sector. Throughout her career, she has supported hundreds of families through every stage of their child’s early years, from settling in as babies to getting ready for school. Claire is passionate about giving every child a happy, nurturing start and helping parents feel confident and well informed.
