Help with childcare costs

If you have a 3 or 4 year old child, you can get up to 15 hours of childcare a week.

If you work: save more on your childcare costs

If you and your partner (if you have one) are both working, you may be eligible to get an extra 15 hours a week, plus more savings through Tax Free Childcare or Universal Credit Childcare. You may still qualify if one of you is unable to work. See Under 5 year olds: 30 hours for working families.

Eligibility criteria

The only criteria to get 15 hours, is to have a 3 or 4 year old child, who is not old enough to go to school. There are no extra requirements. It's available to you regardless of your financial circumstances or immigration status.

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

Your child can start their funded place from the term after they turn 3 years old. See the table below. They will then continue to receive 15 hours until they are old enough to start school.

The funding hours explained

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.

Apply for 15 hours only

Contact the childcare provider you would like to use. Check if they have a space and show them proof of your child's age. If everything is ok, your childcare provider will inform the H&F early years team to fund the place.

To secure a place, you do not need a code or need to complete an application with the council or HMRC.

Before your child starts their funded place, 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 in H&F is up to £570 for the year 2025/26.

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 have any questions, email our early years funding team EarlyYearsFunding@lbhf.gov.uk