There is a range of government funded early education and childcare schemes available for parents and carers in England.
The funding is only available when you use registered childcare settings.
Eligibility for the different funded early education and childcare schemes normally depends on two things:
- the age of your child
- your working status or income
Visit childcarechoices.gov.uk for more details and how to apply for these schemes to find out what you’re eligible for.
Under-twos
Families with children aged between nine months and two years old aren’t currently eligible for any funded hours. However, the government has announced that:
- From September 2024, all eligible working parents of children aged nine months up to three-years-old will be able to access funding for 15 hours per week of education and care for 38 weeks of the year.
- From September 2025, all eligible working parents of children aged nine months up to three-years-old will be able to access funding for 30 hours per week of education and care for 38 weeks of the year.
You can sign up for more details about the upcoming expansion from April 2024, as well as how and when to register for support with childcare costs at Childcare Choices.
There are currently no plans to provide funded places for children aged under nine months.
Two-year-olds
15 hours free childcare
Families in England who have two-year-old children and are on certain benefits and/or are in certain family circumstances, can get 15 hours of free childcare a week.
In addition, the government has announced that:
- From April 2024, all eligible working parents of two-year-olds will be able to access funding for 15 hours per week of early education and childcare for 38 weeks of the year
- From September 2025, all eligible working parents of children aged nine months up to three-years-old can access funding for 30 hours per week of early education and childcare for 38 weeks of the year
If your child is under two and you don’t meet the criteria for the funded scheme for working families, then you will not be eligible for any funded childcare and early education.
Three and four-year-olds
15 hours free childcare
All three and four-year-olds can access 15 hours per week of funded childcare and early education for 38 weeks of the year, regardless of the income or working status of their parent or carer. This is often described as a ‘universal offer’.
30 hours free childcare
In addition, eligible working families of three and four-year-olds can currently access 30 hours a week of funded early learning and childcare for 38 weeks of the year.
Universal Credit childcare support
If you pay for childcare while you go to work and you’re eligible for Universal Credit, you may be able to claim back up to 85% of your childcare costs with up to £646 back each month for one child or £1,108 for 2 or more children.
Tax-free childcare
Tax-free childcare is a government scheme that allows all eligible parents of children under 12 (or under 17, if your child has a disability) to open an online account to pay for childcare and early learning. For every £80 you pay in, the government will pay in an extra £20.
You can save up to £10,000 per year in a tax-free childcare account (£8,000 that you’ve paid in, plus £2,000 that the government has paid in) or up to £20,000 (£16,000 that you’ve paid in, plus £4000 that the government has paid in) if your child has a disability.
It is important to note that, while you can use tax-free childcare alongside the 30-hours offer (or 15 hour free childcare offer), you can’t use it at the same time as:
- Childcare vouchers
- Universal Credit
- Tax credits
Think carefully about your options before deciding what is best for you – for example, some parents may find they benefit more from being able to use tax credits than they would if they switched to tax-free childcare – it depends on your individual circumstances as to what will be best for you and your family.
Early Years Pupil Premium (EYPP)
If your child is three or four years old and you or your child meet certain criteria set by the government, your childcare provider could receive up to £302 a year to provide additional resources to support your child. The EYPP funding will be paid directly to your childcare provider, and they will have to show you how the funding is being used for your child.
Visit Early Years Pupil Premium for more information about the criteria and how to apply.