CHILDCARE SUPPORT - Early years funding

  • Eligible working parents and carers of children aged 9 months – 3 years will be able to access 30 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.
  • 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 30 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. 

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.
Skip to content