Childcare entitlements for working parents
Working parents of 2 year olds can get up to 15 hours a week of funded early education and childcare, (38 weeks per year) or spread the hours over the full year (570 hours in total).
Working parents who meet the eligibility criteria of 3-4 year olds can claim up to 30 hours of childcare per week.
- The funded hours are up to 570 hours a year.
- This is 15 hours over 38 weeks or fewer hours per week for more weeks in the year.
- This can be taken at registered settings or childcare providers or across more than one setting.
- There is an eligibility criteria and it is essential that parents reconfirm eligibility every 3 months.
In addition to the 15 universal hours for parents of 3-4 year olds, parents may also be entitled to an additional 15 hours of funded childcare or early years education.
The extended entitlement (30 hours) is an additional 15 hours for eligible working parents. The two combined total 30 hours a week during term time, or stretched over the year at fewer hours per week, up to a maximum of 1,140 hours per year.
Foster carers will need to follow a different process to apply – please see Frequently Asked Questions section on this page.
Early Education and Childcare Expansion 2024 – 2025
Early education and childcare for working parents is being extended to support more families.
Eligible working parents of children of 2-4 year olds will be able to get up to 15 hours a week olds will be able to get up to 15 hours a week (38 weeks per year) or spread the hours over the full year (570 hours in total). This entitlement will be rolled out in phases starting from April 2024.
- April 2024 - working parents of 2 year olds can get up to 15 hours a week of funded early education and childcare, (38 weeks per year) or spread the hours over the full year (570 hours in total).
- September 2024 - working parents of 9 months – 3 years old can get up to 15 hours a week of funded early education and childcare, (38 weeks per year) or spread the hours over the full year (570 hours in total).
- September 2025 - working parents of 9 months – 3 years old can get up to 30 hours a week of funded early education and childcare, (38 weeks per year) or spread the hours over the full year (570 hours in total).
The application process above is managed by HMRC. Their Childcare Choices website also offers a comparison guide for all the ways you can reduce childcare costs. The HMRC Childcare Choices helpline number is 0300 123 4097.
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Once you have confirmed your eligibility with HMRC, you can start claiming from the beginning of the next funding period, ie 1 April, 1 September or 1 January.
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The deadline for receiving your HMRC Code is the last day of the month, before the next funding period starts. For example to access extended entitlement from 1 January the code you receive from HMRC must be dated on, or before, 31 December. If you apply for and are eligible but are not issued with an HMRC Code by 31 December, the extended funding entitlement will be available from the following funding period 1 April.
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If you are eligible you'll get an 11 digit eligibility code. You will need to keep this safe, as you will need to provide this to your childcare provider to access your place along with your child's date of birth and your national insurance number.
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Every three months, you'll need to reconfirm that you're still eligible for the extended entitlement. HMRC will send a reminder four weeks before the deadline. You don't need to update your provider every time you reconfirm, however please notify your provider if you are no longer eligible.
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You can also create an optional account on our Citizen Portal (Cambridgeshire County Council) to help manage your funding requests and view your funding period, see ‘Citizen Portal’ FAQ below.
When your child turns 2 When you can get 15 hours funding from Recommended time to apply 1 April to 31 August 2023 term starting on or after 1 April 2024 January to March 2024 1 September to 31 December 2023 term starting on or after 1 April 2024 January to March 2024 1 January to 31 March 2024 term starting on or after 1 April 2024 January to March 2024 1 April to 31 August 2024 term starting on or after 1 September 2024 June to August 2024
Choosing a childcare provider
You will need to choose one or more eligible childcare providers that have the capacity to offer you a childcare place/s for the hours you need. Visit our Childcare Information page where you can search for local provision and look at the types of childcare available. You can find local childcare providers in the Childcare Directory.
Additional charges may apply for certain services at specific childcare providers, and not all entitlements may be available at all times of day. Please check with providers for any restrictions or additional charges.