Overview
Information on free early learning for:
- 2 year olds
- 3 and 4 year olds
As well as information on 30 free hours, tax free childcare and help with costs.
Early education and childcare support is changing for working families from April 2024.
April 2024
Working parents of 2 year olds can get up to 15 hours a week of free education and childcare from the term following their child’s 2nd birthday.
September 2024
Working parents of 9 months to 3 year olds can get up to 15 hours a week free education and childcare from the term following their child turning 9 months old.
September 2025
Working parents of 9 months to up to school age can get up to 30 hours a week free education and childcare from the term following their child turning 9 months old.
Parents eligible from September 2024 will be able to apply for their eligibility code from 12 May 2024. Parents must receive their eligibility code before 31 August to be able to access this entitlement.
Working entitlement receiving codes and accessing a place
| A child must have reached the relevant age (9 months, 2 years or 3 years) and obtained an eligible code by: | To access a place in: |
|---|---|
|
31 December |
Spring term (from January) |
|
31 March |
Summer term (from April) |
|
31 August |
Autumn term (from September) |
Visit the Childcare Choices website to find out what you may be eligible for and to sign up to the newsletter to get the latest updates about the early education and childcare support expansion.
Please remember you need to renew your code every 3 months to continue claiming the funding.