Starting from April 2024, support with childcare costs will be expanded in stages to eligible working parents.
By September 2025, eligible working families will be able to access up to 30 hours per week of early education from the term after their child turns 9 months old.
Timeline of funded childcare
There will be three stages of support from April 2024 as follows:
| When working parent entitlement is available | Age of child to be eligible | Entitlement |
|---|---|---|
| April 2024 | 2 year old - from the term after their child's 2nd birthday | up to 15 hours per week based on 38 weeks per year |
| September 2024 | 9 months - from the term after their child turns 9 months old | up to 15 hours per week based on 38 weeks per year |
| September 2025 | 9 months - from the term after their child turns 9 months old | up to 30 hours per week based on 38 weeks per year |
When will my child be eligible?
It will depend on when your child was born. Please see the chart below for eligible term dates:
| Child born between | Funding starts |
|---|---|
| 1 September to 31 December | Term beginning on or after 1 January |
| 1 January to 31 March | Term beginning on or after 1 April |
| 1 April to 31 August | Term beginning on or after 1 September |
How to claim your free childcare
To receive this funded childcare place, your childcare provider will ask you for a code. You must have a valid code by the end of the month before a new term starts.
Apply for your eligibility code by visiting the Childcare Choices website.
You must reconfirm your eligibility for the Working parent entitlement every three months. If you apply more than three months before the term starts, you will have to reconfirm your eligibility in your account in order to keep your code valid.
Financial support
Check what government help you could get with your childcare costs with the childcare calculator.
Visit the government's benefits calculator to find out if you may be able to get other benefits and financial support.