3 & 4 Year Olds
(30 Hour Funding)

Some 3 and 4 year olds are entitled to receive an additional 15 hours a week of government funding (capped at 30 hours a week, 1140 hours per academic year). Keep reading below to see if your child is eligible and how to apply.

This information can change at short notice: the most up to date information can be found at www.childcarechoices.gov.uk

Eligibility

Your child's eligibility to claim 30 hour funding is dependent on:

Your Work Status

You can usually get 30 hours free childcare if you (and your partner, if you have one) are:

in work
on sick leave or annual leave
on shared parental, maternity, paternity or adoption leave

(If you’re on adoption leave for a child aged 3 to 4 years old, you must return to work within 31 days of the date you first apply for 30 hours free childcare for that child)

If you OR your parnter are not working...

You may still be eligible if your partner is working, and you get Incapacity Benefit, Severe Disablement Allowance, Carer’s Allowance or contribution-based Employment and Support Allowance.

You can apply if you’re starting or re-starting work within the next 31 days

Your Income

Over the next 3 months you and your partner (if you have one) must each expect to earn at least:

£1,976 if you’re aged 23 or over
£1,909 if you’re aged 21 or 22
£1,420 if you’re aged 18 to 20
£1,000 if you’re under 18 or an apprentice

(This is at least the National Minimum Wage or Living Wage for 16 hours a week on average.)

You can use an average of how much you expect to earn over the current tax year if:

you work throughout the year but do not get paid regularly
you’re self-employed and do not expect to earn enough in the next 3 months

If you’re self-employed and started your business less than 12 months ago, you can earn less and still be eligible for 30 hours free childcare

There are certain types of income which cannot be used to claim 30 hour funding.

For more information visit www.childcarechoices.gov.uk

Your Child's Age and Circumstance

You can apply for 30 hour funding when your child is 2 years and 36 weeks old.

You will not be eligible if your child does not usually live with you.

If you foster your child, you cannot use the online application to get 30 hours free childcare. Speak to your social worker and your local authority if you want to apply.

When you apply

If you have a partner...

You must include your partner in your application if you are:

married or in a civil partnership and live together
not married or in a civil partnership, but living together as though you are

Their employment and income will not affect your eligibility if they:

are or will be absent from your household for more than 6 months
are a prisoner

You and your partner cannot both have accounts for the same child.

If you are separated

You and your ex-partner need to decide who should apply if you are jointly responsible for your child.

If you cannot decide, both of you must apply separately and HMRC will decide who gets a childcare account.

Your Immigration Status

To be eligible for 30 hours free childcare, you must have a National Insurance number and 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 cannot do this

If you have a partner, they must have a National Insurance number too

When you can't apply...

If you, or your partner earn over £100,000 adjusted net income per annum
The child does not usually live with you
Someone else already claims Tax-Free Childcare for your child
If you do not meet the minimum earning requirements

It is your responsibility to ensure your 30 hour funding code is renewed each term!

There are strict cut off times for when we can start claiming your funding, regardless of when you apply...

When your child turns 3 | When you can claim 30 hours from | Recommended time to apply

1st September - 31st December Term starting 1st January 15th October - 30th November

1st January - 31st March Term starting 1st April 15th January - 28th February

1st April - 31st August Term starting 1st September 15th June - 31st July

We can only claim your funding from the term AFTER you first apply. For example: if your child turned 3 on 17th September, but you do not apply for 30 hour funding until 21st January we cannot process a claim for your funding until the term starting 1st April. If you wanted to increase your hours in the mean time, you will be expected to pay our full, private fees for time not covered by your 15 hour government funding entitlement.

If you believe you are eligible...

For more information and to apply click the button below:

Apply Here

This link will take you to the Childcare Choices website. If you wish to apply for 30 hour funding, it will give you another link from here to either set up or log into your Government Gateway account, where you can apply for 30 hour funding.

3 & 4 Year Olds (30 Hour Funding)