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Childcare for children under 2 year olds

Find out if your child is eligible for free childcare and how to apply

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Eligible working families with children from 9 months can access up to 15 hours per week of funded childcare. This is known as the working parent entitlement.  

Apply for working family under 2 years funding

From September 2025, eligible working parents of children under the age of five-years-old will be entitled to up to 30 hours a week funded childcare. 

When your child will be eligible for the working parent funding 

When your child turns 9 months old When you can get your funded hours from When to apply
1 September to 31 December Term starting on or after 1 January The term before 1 January
1 January to 31 March Term starting on or after 1 April The term before 1 April
1 April to 31 August Term starting on or after 1 September The term before 1 September

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 18-20 or £52.80 a week if you’re an apprentice (either under 19 or in the first year of your apprenticeship) 

They must also: 

  • live in England 
  • expect to have income of less than £100,000 each a year 

Find further information on eligibility and details on how to apply

Contact Family Information Service