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Skip Guide NavigationChildcare entitlements for working parents
Childcare support is expanding, for more information visit the Childcare Choices website.
From September 2024 working parents of 9 months - 3 years old can get up to 15 hours a week of funded early education and childcare. When your child is eligible you will be able to apply for a code for 15 hours childcare funding. If a code is not issued by the start of a funding period, the child will have to wait until the following funding period before they can take up the extended entitlement.
You must apply in good time, as some parents may need to provide more information for their application. Once you receive your eligibility code, please take this to your childcare provider before the deadline.
Visit Gov.uk to find out if you can claim
| Eligibility dates for working parents funded childcare | ||
|---|---|---|
| A child must have reached either 9 months, 2 years or 3 years and obtained a code by : | Date child is eligible for funding from: | Recommended time to apply: |
| 31 December | 1 January (Spring term) | 15 October to 30 November |
| 31 March | 1 April (Summer term) | 15 January to 28 February |
| 31 August | 1 September (Autumn term) | 15 June to 31 July |
After your application:
- if you’re eligible, you will be given an 11-digit eligibility code which you must take to your chosen childcare provider.
Reconfirm your eligibility
You must reconfirm your eligibility every three months after applying – HMRC should email you four weeks before the deadline to log on to your childcare service account to do this.
All checks and applications for the working parent entitlements will be processed by His Majesty's Revenue and Customers (HMRC). If you have any difficulties applying for this funding please contact the HMRC childcare service helpline on 0300 123 4097.
Working parents are also likely to be eligible for Tax-Free Childcare. For every £8 you pay towards any childcare costs you will receive £2 from the government (meaning you pay 80% of the costs).
You can find out more at Tax-Free Childcare (Gov.uk) and apply through the Childcare Service.
If you are no longer eligible
If your circumstances change and you fall out of eligibility you will no longer be eligible to claim the additional 15 hours of childcare. There will be a grace period until the start of the next term giving you the opportunity to start work again. If your circumstances change during the grace period you can reapply and continue to receive the extra funded hours.