Early Years childcare support is expanding. Eligible working families can now apply for 30 hours of childcare to use from the term after their child turns 9 months until they reach school age.
From September 2025, 15 hours for eligible working families will expand to 30 hours, meaning eligible working parents can now apply for 30 hours of childcare from the term after their child turns 9 months until they reach school age.
If you currently receive 15 hours for working families, just reconfirm as usual and the code will work for the 30 hours offer in September, providing you remain eligible.
If you are not eligible for the working parent offer you may be entitled to 15 hours early learning for families receiving some additional forms of support including;
- Income Support
- income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
- income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
- Universal Credit, and your household income is £15,400 a year or less after tax, not including benefit payments
- the guaranteed element of Pension Credit
If you are not eligible for the working parent offer or the early learning for families in receipt of additional support, then you will still receive the 15 hour entitlement for all 3 and 4 year olds from the term after your child turns 3 until they start school, irrespective of your income level, benefit status, or family circumstances.
You can use Tax-Free Childcare or Universal Credit Childcare whilst claiming your 15 or 30 hours of childcare support.
To find out what funding you are eligible for go to www.childcarechoices.gov.uk