Funded Hours

 Starting in April 2024, children over 2 with working parents will be entitled to 15 hours of funded childcare per week. Those with children over 3 may be entitled to extend this by a further 15 hours if their parents meet the eligibility conditions. As this is for 38 weeks per year, this equates to 570 hours or 1140 hours for the full 30 hours per week.



Claiming the new 15 hours of free childcare for 2 year olds:

If you’re in work you might be able to get 15 hours of funded childcare a week from 1 April 2024 - this is often called ‘free hours’. If you’re in a couple you both need to be working. 

You can usually get 15 hours of funded childcare if both the following apply:
your child is 2 years old or will turn 2 years old before 1 April 2024.
you earn at least £8,670 a year and less than £100,000 a year adjusted net income, which is your income after some tax reliefs and deductions.
If you’re a couple, you'll both need to earn between these amounts.
If you already get 15 funded hours of childcare from the government you can’t get these hours as well.
You can get the 15 hours of funded childcare at the same time as using Tax-Free Childcare or Universal Credit for childcare.

Check when it will start:
If you're eligible you’ll get 15 hours of funded childcare the term after your child turns 2 years old.
If your child is already 2 or turns 2 before March 31 2024, you’ll get the hours from 1 April 2024.
If your child turns 2 between 1 April and 31 August 2024 you’ll get the hours from 1 September 2024.

From September 2024 the scheme will be extended to include children aged 9 months and older.

Check what it will cover:
You’ll get 15 hours of funded childcare a week for 38 weeks a year. Childcare providers might stretch the hours for up to 52 weeks, this means you’ll get less than 15 hours a week. 
You’ll need to get a code for the funded hours to give to your childcare provider. You’ll need to claim your code before 31 March 2024.
You need to apply for free childcare if you're working on GOV.UK. You'll get a code to give to your childcare provider.

The government recommends you apply from 15 January to 28 February so you don’t have to reconfirm your eligibility before the scheme starts.