Working Parent Entitlement
Who can access the Working Parent Entitlement?
This entitlement is for working parents who live in England and expect to have an income of less than £100,000 each year.
Both parents or lone parent need to be:
- working the equivalent of 16 hours per week at the National Minimum or Living Wage
- expect to earn at least £61.92 a week if you’re under 18, £84.80 a week if you’re aged 18 to 20 or £52.80 a week if you’re an apprentice (either under 19 or in the first year of your apprenticeship)
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.
If my eligibility check is successful how many funded hours are available?
- In addition to the three and four year olds Universal 15 hours, eligible working parents can get an additional 15 hours (up to 30 hours per week)
- Eligible working parents with children from 9 months of age can get up to 15 hours per week
- From September 2025, the working parent entitlement will increase from 15 hours to 30 hours per week
When will my child be eligible?
You can begin accessing the funded hours from the term following your child reaching the relevant age.
| Children who turn 9 months of age, two or three year old between: | Will be funded from: |
|---|---|
| 1 September and 31 December | 1 January |
| 1 January and 31 March | 1 April |
| 1 April and 31 August | 1 September |
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 51 weeks, using fewer hours per week.
If you are eligible for the working parent entitlement you must sign in to your childcare account to re-confirm every three months.
Get funded childcare if you are working: follow the step by step guide for more information
Please visit Childcare Choices for more information on the help that is available for childcare costs and details on how to apply (if applicable).