Government funded childcare

Each government funded entitlement is explained below. If you are also eligible for Tax Free Childcare or Universal Credit Childcare, you can use these in addition to government funded entitlements. To find out more, visit support with childcare costs.

Entitlement

Working Parent Entitlement

• eligible parents can claim Working Parent Entitlement to start the term after their child turns nine months old
• up to 30 hours of government funded childcare per week, based on 38 weeks per year
• find out more on Working Parent Entitlement
• apply for Working Parent Entitlement on gov.uk

Families in Receipt of Additional Support entitlement

• eligible parents can claim Families in Receipt of Additional Support to start the term after they turn two years old
• up to 15 hours of government funded childcare per week, based on 38 weeks per year. Can be used with working parent entitlement if parents are eligible for both, with a maximum of 30 hours of government funding per week
• find out more on Families in Receipt of Additional Support
• apply for the Families in Receipt of Additional Support

Universal Funding Entitlement

• all children are eligible for Universal Funding from the term after they turn three, up until they start school
• up to 15 hours of government funded childcare per week, based on 38 weeks per year. Can be used with working parent entitlement if parents are eligible, with a maximum of 30 hours of government funding per week
• find out more on Universal Funding
• there is no application process for Universal Funding. Parents will need to arrange this directly with their childcare provider

Funding start dates

This will depend on the month a child was born. If parents meet the eligibility criteria for each entitlement type, funding will start in the term after a child turns the relevant age.