New codes for 15 and 30 hours must be checked with a childcare provider as soon as possible. This is to ensure your code is valid and you can take up your funded place.
9 to 23 months old
If you and your partner (if you have one) are both working, you may be eligible to get up to 30 hours of childcare a week. You may still qualify if one of you is unable to work. Your child must be at least 9 months old and not yet old enough to start school.
You will need to apply through HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) for a code.
See Under 5 year olds: 30 hours for working families
2 year olds
If you receive some form of additional government support and have a 2 year old child, you may get 15 hours of childcare a week. You will need to apply through us.
If you and your partner (if you have one) are also working, you may get an extra 15 hours a week. You may still qualify if one of you is unable to work. We recommend you apply through us and HMRC for codes. This is because, if your work circumstances change you can still keep 15 hours.
See 2 year olds: 15 hours for families receiving government support
If you and your partner (if you have one) do not receive some form of additional government support, you may get 30 hours of childcare a week. You may still qualify if one of you is unable to work. You will need to apply though HMRC for a code.
See Under 5 year olds: 30 hours for working families
3 and 4 year olds
If you're a parent of a 3 or 4 year old child, you can get 15 hours of childcare a week. You do not need a code.
See 3 and 4 year olds: 15 hours for all families
If you and your partner (if you have one) are both working, you may get an extra 15 hours a week. You may still qualify if one of you is unable to work. You will need to apply though HMRC for a code.
See Under 5 year olds: 30 hours for working families
0 to 16 year olds: Extra childcare savings for working parents
If you and your partner (if you have one) are both working, you can use one of these schemes to pay for extra childcare hours or services.
- Tax-Free Childcare on GOV.UK
- Universal Credit childcare costs on GOV.UK (if you claim Universal Credit)
You may still qualify if one of you is unable to work.
If you are a parent of a child under 5 years old who has not yet started school, you can get this in addition to 15 or 30 hours.
If you are a student
The government, your school, college, university, or training provider may be able to help you with your childcare costs.
See Help with childcare costs while you study.
Childcare vouchers and directly contracted childcare
'Childcare Vouchers' and 'Directly Contracted Childcare' are no longer accepting new applicants. If you joined one of these schemes before and need support, see Help paying for childcare: Childcare vouchers and other employer schemes on GOV.UK.
Help to identify what you can get and when
Use the Eligibility checker on the Best Start in Life website to find out which childcare schemes you can access now and in the future.
Find childcare to suit you
Knowing what's out there, and what help is available, can support you when choosing childcare.
If you have a child under 5 years old
See our guide to Childcare options for under 5's, which includes information on:
- the different types of childcare providers
- key points before securing childcare
- childcare and funding for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND)
If you have a child of school age
See our guide Childcare options for school children, which includes information on:
- school breakfast and after school clubs
- free after school and holiday clubs, including for children and young people with SEND
- safeguarding arrangements for holiday clubs