In England, before starting school, all children are eligible to access a government funded place at a pre-school provision which may be a nursery, pre-school or with a childminder.
The available schemes depend on family circumstances and the ages of each child. More information for each offer can be found below.
This scheme is for working parents who meet the eligibility criteria. The entitlement is currently 15 hours of funded childcare. This entitlement is due to be extended to 30 hours from 1 September 2025.
There are two schemes of funded childcare for some 2-year-olds. Not all families are eligible. If an eligibility check is successful you will qualify for either the 15 hour entitlement for families receiving additional government support (benefit related or child specific) or the working parent entitlement which is currently 15 hours of funded childcare. This working parent entitlement is due to be extended to 30 hours from 1 September 2025.
In England, all 3 and 4-year-old children are entitled to 15 hours of early education 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.
You can use your hours per week for 38 weeks of the year (term time). You may be able to use your hours for up to 51 weeks if you use fewer than your total hours per week. Check with your childcare provider to find out how they deliver funded childcare in their setting. Please note that providers may ask for charges in addition to the funded childcare.
Use the link below to check your eligibility:
You can use Tax-Free Childcare or Universal Credits whilst claiming your 15 or 30 hours of childcare support.