Who can apply?
You could get up to 15 hours funded childcare if you and your partner (if you have one) work full or part time hours.
You could still be eligible, even if you're on maternity, paternity or adoption leave, or if you're unable to work.
Check the full eligibility criteria to find out if you can claim.
When to apply
You can apply for funded childcare funding for 2 year olds - 16 weeks before your child's second birthday. We recommend you apply no more than 3 months before you're eligible to claim.
You must apply in good time to take your eligibility code to your childcare provider before the deadline. Many parents applying for this funding will get a reply straightaway to say if they are eligible. Some parents will need to provide more information for their application.
Must be 2 years old by |
Date child is eligible for funding from |
Recommended time to apply |
31 December |
1 January (Spring term) |
15 October to 30 November |
31 March |
1 April (Summer term) |
15 January to 28 February |
31 August |
1 September (Autumn term) |
15 June to 31 July |
You must have a valid code by the end of the month before a new term starts
Apply if you are a working parent
Reconfirm your eligibility
You must reconfirm your eligibility every 3 months even if you haven't started claiming.
Can you claim other funding at the same time?
If you're eligible, you can claim through other funding schemes at the same time, including:
Find out which funding schemes work best for your family with the online childcare calculator.
Issues applying for funding
Contact the HMRC helpline - Telephone: 0300 123 4097