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30 hours childcare for eligible working families in England

From 1 September 2025, if you live and work in England you may be entitled to 30 hours funded childcare support from the term after your child turns 9 months old, until they start school. 

You can check if you are eligible and also use the Childcare Choices eligibility checker tool which gives information on other financial support.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q.  Where can I find FAQ’s about the 30 hours childcare for working families?

A.  Visit Childcare Choices website for more information 

Q.  I have a four year old son can I get money in addition to the free 15 hours early education to help with his childcare costs?

A.  You may be eligible for up to 30 hours free early education if you meet certain criteria (please see detail below)

Q.  Can I get any extra help with childcare costs?

A.  You could be eligible for tax credits, tax free childcare or universal credits (please see detail below)

Find local early years providers

A list of local Early Years providers can be found on the Ofsted website.

The Local Offer provides information, support and signposting for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) from birth to 25 years, their parents and carers, practitioners and professionals.

Am I eligible?

Eligibility is based on the following: 

  • Over the next 3 months, two working parents in a family or a single working parent if a single parent family, must each expect to earn at least:

£2,539 before tax if you’re aged 21 or over (equivalent to £195 per week)

£2,080 before tax if you’re aged 18 to 20 (equivalent to £160 per week)

£1,570 before tax if you’re under 18 or an apprentice (equivalent to £120 per week)

This is equivalent to the National Minimum Wage or Living Wage for 16 hours a week, on average

  • If two working parents in a family or the single working parent if a single parent family are on maternity, shared paternity or adoption leave,  in work,  starting a new job, on sick leave or annual leave, you could still be eligible
  • If you earn up to £100,000 adjusted net income adjusted net income
  • Your immigration status

You will not be eligible if either:

  • Your child does not usually live with you
  • Of two working parents in a family or the single working parent if a single parent family have an expected adjusted net income of over £100,000 in the current tax year

How do I apply?

  • Visit HM Government Childcare Choices website for 11 digit code to take to participating childcare providers
  • Parents need to revalidate eligibility every 3 months
  • The code must be validated the term before the child takes up the place, failure to do this will result in the sessions not being funded. Parents need to receive the code by:

31 August - to access funding from September to December

31 December - to access funding from January to March

31 March - to access funding from April to August

What happens if my circumstances changes?

You will need to revalidate eligibility every 3 months by HMRC. You must log into your HMRC account and renew your eligibility code to enable you to continue to access your extended entitlement.

If you lose eligibility for the extended entitlement:

  • Funding will continue for a 'grace period' – this means you are able to keep your childcare for a short period.
  • Once the 'grace period' has lapsed, you will only be entitled to the universal 15 hour entitlement.

When can my child start?

Funding is available from the term after your child turns 9 months of age, see the table below:

  • 1 January – 31 March - start summer term on or after 1 April.
  • 1 April – 31 August - start autumn term on or after 1 September.
  • 1 September – 31 December - start spring term on or after the 1 January.

Find local early years providers

A list of local Early Years providers can be found on the Ofsted website.

The Local Offer provides information, support and signposting for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) from birth to 25 years, their parents and carers, practitioners and professionals.

Need further assistance?

HM government offer additional help with childcare costs for parents

Tax Free Childcare

  • Tax-Free Childcare is a UK wide offer for eligible working parents
  • Set up an online childcare account for your child on GOV.UK
  • Deposit money into the account. For every £8 you pay into this account, the government will pay in £2. You can get up to £500 every 3 months (up to £2,000 a year) for each of your children to help with the costs of childcare. This goes up to £1,000 every 3 months if a child is disabled (up to £4,000 a year)
  • Use the topped-up money to pay your childcare provider through your online account

Tax Credits for Childcare

You can get help with the cost of childcare through:

You must use an ‘approved childcare’ provider in order to qualify.

Universal Credit for Childcare

  • For working families claiming Universal Credit with children under 17
  • Claim back up to 85% of eligible childcare costs

Useful links and documents

Useful links and documents

 For further information about how to become a funded provider contact Milton Keynes Council at nursery.education@milton-keynes.gov.uk