15 and 30 hours - frequently asked questions

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What entitlements are available and which ones might I be able to use?

There are several different entitlements available for parents in England, which have different eligibility criteria. These are set out below.

Your provider may agree to ‘stretch’ your entitlement by using fewer hours over more than 38 weeks per year. Check with your childcare provider to find out if this is something they offer.

It is not possible to use more than 15 hours (or 30, if your child is 3 or 4) in a week, but you don’t have to use your full entitlement if you don’t want to. 

When can I use the entitlements from?

You can start using your entitlements from the term after your child turns the relevant age to use that entitlement. The relevant age for the working parent entitlement is 9 months old.

You are only able to claim the entitlements from the term after they become the relevant age because this gives local authorities and childcare providers enough time to prepare. If you’re not working when your child turns the relevant age for the working parent entitlement, you may have to wait until the term after you start working to be eligible.

How do I apply for the working parents entitlement?

You can apply online at GOV.UK.

You’ll need to make sure you have the following information to hand before starting the application:

• your national insurance number (or unique taxpayer reference if you are self employed)
• the date you started or are due to start work
• details of any government support or benefits you receive
• the UK birth certificate reference number (if you have one) for your child

If you are a foster carer, there is a separate application process. Speak to your social worker to find out more.

When do I need to apply?

We recommend you contact your chosen provider as early as possible to secure your place.

You will be able to take up your free hours from the term after you meet all the eligibility criteria for the entitlement you are applying for. These terms begin on 1 January, 1 April and 1 September.

You need to apply online before the deadline to receive a code for free childcare to give to your childcare provider. The deadline is the day before the new term begins, but we encourage you to apply earlier, and recommend applying at least 6 weeks before the deadline. Some providers may ask for codes before the deadline, so we recommend you speak to your provider to find out if this is the case. The deadlines are:

If you do not apply by the deadline, you will not be able to take up your entitlements in that term. 

When will I find out if I am eligible?

When you apply you may find out if you’re eligible straight away, but it can take longer if you need to provide further information. Once your application has been approved, you’ll get a code for free childcare to give to your childcare provider.

What happens once I receive my code?

You’ll need to give the code to your childcare provider, along with your National Insurance Number and your child’s date of birth. 

Your childcare provider will check the code and then allocate your child a place if available.

We recommend parents speak with their chosen provider about when they will be able to offer them a place.

We know that some providers are able to amend invoices if they have issued them before a parent has received their code, so we recommend you speak to your provider if you are in this situation.

What are the eligibility criteria I need to meet to claim the 15 or 30 hours free childcare for working parents?

Working parents in England who each earn the equivalent of at least 16 hours per week at the National Minimum Wage are eligible. 

You’re eligible if you earn at least:

You can earn up to £100,000 adjusted net income per year and be eligible. If you have a partner who lives with you, they must also earn between these two amounts. The £100,000 adjusted net income level was chosen to correspond with income tax thresholds. See our eligibility criteria for more information, including the income requirements for those who are self-employed.

How is my eligibility calculated?

Eligibility is calculated on an individual basis rather than by household. This means if you have a partner who lives with you, you must both individually earn between these two amounts. There is an exception to this if you are in a couple and one person is claiming one of the following benefits:

• Carer’s Allowance
• Incapacity Benefit
• Severe Disablement Allowance
• Contribution-based Employment and Support Allowance or
• Certain additional elements of Universal Credit

In which case you may still be eligible.

Can I apply for a code whilst I am on maternity, paternity or adoption leave?

If you are applying for childcare for an older child, who is not the subject of the parental leave, you can apply as normal.

You can also apply for the child that is the subject of the parental leave, though when you return to work will affect when you can take up the childcare. The dates below apply: 

If I’m eligible for Universal Credit can I get the working parents entitlements?

Yes, if you meet the eligibility criteria. Whilst you cannot claim Universal Credit and Tax-Free Childcare at the same time, those on Universal Credit will still be able to claim the working parents entitlement, as long as they meet the eligibility criteria. 

This will not affect your ability to claim Universal Credit. If you are taking up more than 15 hours childcare (or 30 hours if you are also using the universal entitlement), you can claim Universal Credit Childcare, which can support you with up to 85% of the cost of additional childcare you pay for outside your entitlement to 15 hours. Please see the Universal Credit childcare costs page for more information.

Alternatively, there is a separate entitlement which means that parents of 2-year-olds who are already receiving some additional forms of support, such as Universal Credit or tax credits, can receive 15 hours of early education. This is separate from the new entitlement for working parents. 

All parents regardless of employment status, family circumstances, or income levels are eligible for the universal 15 hours for 3 and 4-year-olds.

How often do I need to log into my childcare account?

You need to log into your childcare account every 3 months to reconfirm that your details are up to date and that you remain eligible for the childcare entitlements for working parents and/or Tax-Free Childcare.

Will I be reminded to reconfirm my details?

Yes, you will receive a reminder:

• the first email reminder is sent 4 weeks before reconfirmation is due
• a further reminder is sent 2 weeks before reconfirmation is due
• a notification is sent on the deadline date of reconfirmation to notify you that your eligibility for funded childcare for working parents has stopped and asking you to confirm your details as soon as possible

This message will come from GOV.UK. Please remember to make sure that your details are up to date.

How long does reconfirmation usually take?

In most cases, reconfirmation should only take a few minutes, but it may take longer if you need to provide further information.

How do I log into my childcare account to reconfirm?

You need to log into your childcare account on GOV.UK using your Government Gateway ID to reconfirm. The dates between which you should reconfirm will be displayed when you log in.

What’s happening in September 2025?

In September 2025, the 15 hours for working parents of children under 3 will expand to 30 hours, meaning eligible working parents will be able to claim 30 hours of childcare all the way through from the term after their child turns 9 months to school age.

What if the provider I want to use says they don’t have a place available? 

If your chosen provider doesn’t have a place available, we advise that you explore other providers in your local area. 

Your local authority can provide support with finding a childcare provider in your area.

What if I am a foster carer?

Children in foster care who are aged 9 months to 4-years-old could also be eligible for the working parent entitlements, provided the foster parent is in paid work outside their fostering role and does not expect their adjusted net income to exceed £100,000.

There is no minimum income requirement for foster parents, however the local authority responsible for the child must confirm it is satisfied that the foster parent’s paid work other than their fostering role is consistent with the child’s care plan.

Foster parents cannot use the online Childcare Service application to get free childcare. Speak to your social worker and your local council if you want to apply.

What if I am a student?

Students who work in addition to studying are eligible for this entitlement if they meet the income requirements.

Students who do not work are not eligible, but other schemes are available for those in further or higher education. If you’re a full-time student, you may be eligible for help with your childcare costs. You can find further information about help with childcare while you study on GOV.UK.

I missed out on the working parent entitlement because of a computer glitch

If you are eligible for the working parents entitlement but were unable to take up a free place in time due to a technical issue with your application. You may be eligible for compensation if, for example:

• you applied before the deadline but your code has a start which is on or after the start of the term
• you were unable to reconfirm your eligibility due to a system error

What are the immigration requirements for parents?

You must have a national insurance number to apply. If you have a partner who lives with you, they must also have a national insurance number. If you are the parent who is making the application you must have at least one of the following:

• British or Irish citizenship
• settled or pre-settled status, or you have applied and you’re waiting for a decision
• permission to access public funds – your UK residence card will tell you if you
  can’t do this

What if I’m disabled, claim Personal Independence Payments or have caring responsibilities?

If you or your partner is unable to work because you get one of the following benefits, you could still be eligible for the working parent entitlement as long as you have a partner who is working and meets the eligibility criteria:

• Carer’s Allowance
• Incapacity Benefit
• Severe Disablement Allowance
• contribution-based Employment and Support Allowance or
• certain additional elements of Universal Credit

However, if you are a single parent on one of these benefits you will also need to be working and meet the income requirements to be eligible for the working parents entitlement.

Claiming Disability Living Allowance or Personal Independence Payment for yourself or your child does not automatically grant you eligibility to use this entitlement. You would still need to be working and meet the income requirements in order to claim it.

However, parents who are already receiving some additional forms of support can receive 15 hours early learning for 2-year-olds. This is separate from the new entitlement for working parents and is available to parents whose child is entitled to Disability Living Allowance. All parents regardless of employment status or income levels are eligible for 15 hours for 3 and 4-year-olds.

What do the entitlements cover?

Government funding is to deliver your 15 or 30 hours of childcare support. It does not cover additional hours, activities or extra costs, such as meals. Your provider should provide invoices and receipts that are clear, transparent and itemised to see you have received your child’s free entitlements and understand any fees for additional hours or services. 

You may have to pay for, or provide your own:

• meals
• other consumables, like nappies
• additional hours
• additional services or activities, like trips 

However, charges for consumables or additional hours should not be made a condition of accessing a free place.

You should not be charged:

• a top-up fee
• a non-refundable registration fee

You may wish to speak to your local authority or your provider about any additional charges on top of the funded childcare hours, including any alternative options they offer.

What if I wish to start using them later, or if my child is already older than 9 months?

If you wish to use your entitlements later than the term after your child turns the relevant age, then you can apply closer to the time you wish to start. Provided you still meet the eligibility criteria for that entitlement at that time, you will not lose your ability to apply.

Can I use the entitlements for a nanny?

No, you are not able to use the entitlements for a nanny or a home carer. 

Can I use the entitlements for childcare with a relative?

No. You cannot use the entitlements for childcare provided by a relative, such as a grandparent.

Can I add another child to my account between reconfirmation windows?

Yes, a parent who is already using the childcare service for another child can add a new child to their account at any time.

What happens if I miss my reconfirmation window?

If you miss your reconfirmation window, your eligibility for Tax-Free Childcare and/or your childcare entitlements will lapse. However, if your child already has a place, a grace period for your free childcare will apply. This means your child can continue in their place for a short time, but you need to submit another application as soon as you can to keep getting the childcare entitlements and/or Tax-Free Childcare.

When can I submit a new application if I missed my reconfirmation window or fell out of eligibility?

You can submit a new application any time you meet the eligibility criteria for childcare entitlements or Tax-Free Childcare. You must then present your code to your provider to confirm your place can continue.

What is the entitlement for parents already receiving some additional forms of support?

Parents of 2-year-olds who are already receiving some additional forms of support may be eligible for 15 hours early learning for their child. This is separate to the 15 and 30 hours for working parents. Speak to your local council about free childcare places for eligible 2-year-olds. You should be able to find advice online on your local authority’s website.

If you’re not eligible for 15 hours early learning for families receiving additional forms of support, you may be able to get childcare if you’re working under a separate scheme.

If you meet both sets of eligibility criteria, you must apply through the 15 hours early learning for families receiving some additional forms of support scheme. 

Some households that have no recourse to public funds may be eligible for this entitlement for their 2 year old. 

Who can get 15 and 30 hours for 3 to 4 year olds?

All 3 and 4-year-olds who live in England are entitled to 15 hours childcare a week, over 38 weeks a year the year, irrespective of income levels, benefit status, or family circumstances.

This can be combined with the working parent 15 hour entitlement, if you are eligible, to make up 30 hours of funded support over 38 weeks of the year.

You can choose to take fewer hours over more weeks, if your childcare provider offers this option.

When can I access 15 hours for my 3 year old?

You can get it from the 1 January, 1 April or 1 September after your child’s 3rd birthday.

If your 2 year old already uses 15 hours for working parents and then turns 3, just reconfirm as usual and the code will work for the 30 hours offer.

Contact your childcare provider or local council to find out more.

How do I apply for this entitlement?

Take your child’s birth certificate and speak to your chosen provider. 

If your 2 year old already uses 15 hours for working parents and then turns 3, just reconfirm as usual and the code will work for the 30 hours offer.

What other support is available?

You can also apply for Tax-Free Childcare or Universal Credit childcare. You cannot use both of these at the same time. 

You may be able to use these other forms of support to help pay for childcare that is not covered through the entitlements. For example, you can use it to help pay for any additional hours, or to pay for a nanny if your nanny has registered on the Voluntary part of the General Childcare Register. It can also be used to pay for certain additional services that are charged by your provider. 

Is there any support I can get for my provider to help my child?

Yes. The Early Years Pupil Premium is additional funding for your provider to support children whose families get certain benefits. Its purpose is to enhance learning and development support for children, ultimately improving their outcomes. You can find out more about this on GOV.UK at Get extra funding for your early years provider.

Is there any support for my provider to help my disabled child?

Yes. Disability access funding is a grant given each year to providers to help children with disabilities get the best support during their early education. If you get Disability Living Allowance for your child, then they are eligible for this funding.  If you think your child may be eligible for disability access funding speak to your childcare provider or local council.