Childcare support can help you to balance the job that you want with being a parent, while saving you more money on your family’s childcare costs.

If you haven't already done so, please remember to get your childcare code in time for your child to benefit from a funded place this April.

If you are an eligible working parent in England, you can apply by 31st March for:

• Up to 15 hours childcare per week for your two-year-old, over 38 weeks of the year (12 hours over 47.5 weeks). Read the Education Hub blog to find out more about how to claim 15 hours childcare including how to get your code.
• Up to 30 hours childcare per week for your three or four-year-old, over 38 weeks of the year (24 hours over 47.5 weeks).

You will then need to give your code to us to validate your place.

Key Dates:

Applications are open until 31st March for eligible working parents of 2-year-olds to receive 15 hours free childcare starting from April 2024.

From 1st April, eligible working parents whose children will be 2 or older by 31st August, can apply to receive 15 hours childcare starting from September 2024. 

And from 12th May, eligible working parents whose children will be aged between 9- and 23-months old on 31st August, can apply to receive 15 hours childcare starting from September 2024.

But don't rush in for September - it might be better to wait until Mid-June:

It’s important to remember that codes need to be renewed every three months, so parents applying close to 12 May will need to renew their code prior to the offer starting in September.