CHILDCARE SUPPORT - Early years funding
Eligible working parents and carers of children aged 9 months – 3 years will be able to access 15 hours of childcare support.
All parents and carers of children aged 3-4 years will be able to claim 15 hours.
Eligible working parents and carers of children aged 3-4 can get an additional 15 hours of childcare support, bringing the total support they can get up to 30 hours per week.
Parents and carers can use Tax-Free Childcare or Universal Credit Childcare whilst claiming 15 or 30 hours of childcare support.
To check if you are eligible go to www.childcarechoices.gov.uk
When your child's funding begins
Child turns 9 months
When funding Starts
1st January and 31st March (inclusive)
Term starting on or after 1st April
1st April and 31st August (inclusive)
Term starting on or after 1st September
1st September and 31st December (inclusive)
Term starting on or after 1st January
Children aged 9 months – 3 years old
For eligible working families in England
Up to 15 hours of childcare support.
Can be used flexibly with one or more childcare providers.
Your hours can be used per week for 38 weeks of the year (during school term time). You
may be able to use your hours for up to 52 weeks if you use fewer than your total Some
providers will allow you to ‘stretch’ the hours over 52 weeks, using fewer hours per week.
You will receive a voucher code to show to the Early Years Provider.
Complete a parental declaration form and provide a copy of the child’s birth certificate or passport.
Children aged 3-4 years
All parents and carers of 3 and 4 year olds can access 15 hours of childcare support.
Your hours can be used per week for 38 weeks of the year (during school term time). You
may be able to use your hours for up to 52 weeks if you use fewer than your total Some
providers will allow you to ‘stretch’ the hours over 52 weeks, using fewer hours per week.
You will need to complete a parental declaration form and provide a copy of the child’s birth
certificate or passport.
30 hours per week (extended offer) for 3 and 4 year olds
For families where both parents/carers are working (or the sole parent is working in a lone parent family):
Working parents in England who each earn more than £8,670 – equivalent to at least £167
per week or 16 hours at the National Minimum Wage – but less than £100,000 adjusted net
income per year, will be eligible.
Eligibility is calculated on an individual basis rather than by household. This means if you
have a partner, you must both individually earn between these two amounts.
If either you or your partner expect to earn £100,000 or more, you will not be able to receive
30 hours free childcare.
You must apply for the 30-hour code before the start of a new funding period.
You must reconfirm your eligibility with HMRC around every 3 months.
COMING SOON
From Sept 2025 – Up to 30 hours for eligible working families in England with a child from 9 months old up to school age.
For families in England, receiving some additional forms of government support
Children aged 2 years
15 hours of childcare or early education for 38 weeks (up to 570 hours per year), that
you can use flexibly with one or more providers.
Some providers will allow you to ‘stretch’ the hours over 52 weeks, using fewer hours per
week.
Working parents in England who each earn more than £8,670 – equivalent to at least £167
per week or 16 hours at the National Minimum Wage – but less than £100,000 adjusted net
income per year, will be eligible.
You must reconfirm your eligibility with HMRC around every 3 months.
Families who are in receipt of benefits will be able to apply for 15 hours funding through
East Sussex. Eligible families will receive a 6 digit voucher code. Children in receipt of the
Disadvantaged entitlement may be eligible for Early Years Pupil Premium. The
disadvantaged families’ code does not need to be reconfirmed and does not get taken away
so for those families eligible for both, these may be the better option.
You will receive a voucher code to show to the Early Years Provider.
Complete a parental declaration form and provide a copy of the child’s birth certificate or
passport.
When to apply for funding
To start claiming 30 hours from:
January you must apply for the code by 31 December
April you must apply for the code by 31 March
September you must apply for the code by 31 August
You will receive a voucher code to show to the Early Years Provider.
Complete a parental declaration form and provide a copy of the child’s birth certificate or
passport.
You must reconfirm your eligibility with HMRC around every 3 months.