Early education and childcare funding

If you are claiming the universal 15 hour entitlement you may be eligible to access an additional 15 hours of funded early education and childcare a week if:

• you live in England
• you and your partner (if you have one) are working and expect to earn at least £167 per week (on average) - equal to 16 hours at the national minimum or living wage
• your child is three to four years old

However, if you of your partner have an expected adjusted net income over £100.000 in the current tax year, you will not be eligible.

You could still be eligible if:

• you or your partner are on maternity, paternity or adoption leave
• you're unable to work because you are disabled or have caring responsibilities

The entitlement can be claimed by an approved childcare provider and stops when your child starts in reception class (or reaches compulsory school age, if later)

You may have to pay for extra costs like meals, nappies or trips.

You can get the funded hours from the term after your child’s 3rd birthday.

The 30 hour entitlement is a culmination of the universal 570 hours and additional 570 hours, making a total of 1140 hours for you to use flexibly with one or more providers. Some providers will let you stretch the hours over 52 weeks, using fewer hours per week.

If you are eligible for the additional 15 hours you must sign in to your childcare account to re-confirm every three months.

Go to the step by step guide for 30 hours early education and childcare on GOV.UK