If you have a 2 year old child, and receive some form of additional government support, you may get up to 15 hours of childcare a week. If you're working, you may also get this.
If you do not receive some form of additional government support but you and your partner (if you have one) both work, see Under 5 year olds: 30 hours for working parents. You may still qualify if one of you is unable to work.
How childcare funding can help you and your child
Funded childcare helps your child learn and get ready for school.
It also lets you return to work, education, or focus on other priorities.
When your child can start
If you're eligible, your child can begin their funded place from the term after they turn 2 years old. See the table below.
Turns 2 years old on or between |
Eligible for funding from |
|---|---|
1 April to 31 August |
1 September |
1 September to 31 December |
1 January |
1 January to 31 March |
1 April |
You will receive 15 hours, even if your situation changes.
In the term after your child's third birthday, their 2 year old funding ends. Then, they will switch to the 3 and 4 year old funding. This is available to all 3 and 4 year olds.
See 3 and 4 year olds: 15 hours for all families
Funding stays at 15 hours until your child begins school. But, if you start work and qualify for the working parent funding, you can get an extra 15 hours.
See Under 5 year olds: 30 hours for working parents
The funding hours explained
If you're eligible for 15 hours a week, your child can get up to 570 hours a year. This is usually taken over 38 weeks of the year. 38 weeks closely aligns with school term dates.
The funding is flexible. Some providers offer the 'stretched entitlement'. This lets a child attend fewer hours each week but spread out over more weeks in the year. It includes some holidays.
Your childcare provider will explain how you can use your funded hours.
What is not covered
The funding does not include:
- food
- consumables such as nappies and cream
- extra activities such as trips
Your provider may charge for these, but you can choose to opt out.
Before your child starts, you need to sign a contract with your childcare provider. Ensure that any charges are clear and agreed upon beforehand.
Choosing childcare inside or outside the borough
There are a few things to consider, depending on whether your child lives inside or outside the borough of Hammersmith & Fulham (H&F).
If your child lives in H&F
If your child is a H&F resident and you would like a childcare place within the borough, you can use a H&F Ofsted registered nursery, preschool or childminder. Confirm with them if they accept 15 or 30 hours and if they have availability.
If you want a childcare place in another borough, check their availability and the process. Some boroughs and childcare providers may prioritise local families.
If your child lives in another borough
If your child is not a H&F resident, but you want a childcare place in H&F, check with the childcare provider first to confirm if they accept 15 or 30 hours and if they have availability. Please note, we will need to verify your eligibility, even if the other borough has already done so, because H&F will pay for the place.
Eligibility criteria for parents receiving some form of government support
If you receive any of the following benefits you may be eligible:
- Income Support
- Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA)
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
- Universal Credit, and your household income is £15,400 a year or less after tax, not including benefit payments
- the guaranteed element of Pension Credit
Alternatively, if any of the following applies to your child:
- is looked after by a local authority
- has a statement of special education needs (SEN) or an education, health and care (EHC) plan
- receives Disability Living Allowance
- has left care under an adoption order, special guardianship order or a child arrangements order.
Your benefits will not be affected if you take up the 15 hours.
If your immigration status says you have 'no recourse to public funds', you may still get 15 hours for your 2 year old. You must live in England and your household income must be no more than:
- £34,500 for families within London with one child
- £38,600 for families within London with two or more children
You cannot have more than £16,000 in savings or investments.
Apply as a parent who receives some form of government support
You can apply if you meet all of the following conditions:
- You believe you meet the eligibility criteria
- You are a H&F resident or would like a childcare place in the borough
- Your child has reached 21 months of age.
Applications are submitted via the H&F Parent Portal and will be reviewed by the H&F Early Years team.
Apply for 2 year old funding through H&F if you receive government support
If you work and receive government support
You may qualify for both schemes:
- 15 hours for 2 year olds receiving government support
- 30 hours for working families
However, the maximum you can claim is 30 hours a week.
Recommendation
Apply for both schemes. If you're eligible for both, you will receive two separate codes. Give both to your childcare provider and ask them to use 15 hours from each code. By doing this, even if you lose eligibility for the working parent scheme, you can still get 15 hours under the government support scheme.
Before your child starts their funded place
Make sure you follow the guidance below, to secure your child's funded place before they start.
Ensure any code you have is valid
Ask your childcare provider to confirm any code you have is valid.
Sign the Parental Declaration Form
Your childcare provider will give you a Parental Declaration Form to sign. This allows them to claim the funding from the council.
Please confirm your information is correct and that you understand the conditions, including:
- regular attendance is needed
- informing your childcare provider of any planned holidays and absences.
Your childcare provider will share this information with the council. The council will also check if your provider can get an Early Years Pupil Premium (EYPP) payment. This payment helps support your child.
See Get extra funding for your early years provider on GOV.UK
The amount of EYPP is £570 for the financial year 2025/26.
If you work: save more on your childcare costs
Use one of these schemes to pay for extra childcare hours or services. You can use this in addition to 15 or 30 funded hours.
- Universal Credit Childcare on GOV.UK (if you claim Universal Credit)
- Tax-Free Childcare on GOV.UK
If you're 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.
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
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)
Contact details
If you get government support and have any questions about a new or existing application you can contact us.
Email our early years funding team EarlyYearsFunding@lbhf.gov.uk