Funded childcare for working parents

Most working families with children aged 9 months to 4 years are entitled to up to 30 hours of free childcare and early education per week, for 38 weeks of the year.

Key points to note:

  • you do not have to use the full 30 hours each week
  • childcare providers might allow you to spread the free hours across the year. for example, if a provider is open 51 weeks of the year, they could offer you 22.35 funded hours a week
  • childcare providers do not have to offer the 30 free hours and not all providers will
  • you can claim up to 30 free hours between up to three providers – but you cannot claim hours at more than two sites in a day

You can claim the 30 hours entitlement from the term after your child turns 9 months until they reach school age. Terms start on 1 January, 1 April, and 1 September.

Eligibility criteria

To check the full eligibility criteria and any exceptions, visit Best Start in Life .