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Understanding Funded Childcare

Good news! If you live in England, you can get 30 hours government-funded childcare each week during school term time. All you need is a code from the government – then give it to us at Kids Planet. We’re here to help you every step of the way.

1. What is Government-Funded Childcare?

  • The government offers 30 hours government-funded childcare per week for 38 weeks a year.
  • It’s designed to help with childcare costs and ensure that children have access to high-quality care and education.
  • Learn more on GOV.UK: 30 hours free childcare

2. Who Can Apply?

You can apply if all of these are true:

  • You live in England.
  • Your child is over 9 months old.
  • You (and your partner, if you have one) each earn at least £183 per week on average (16 hours at the National Minimum Wage).
  • Neither you nor your partner has a net income over £100,000 a year.

💡Tip: If you’re on maternity, paternity or adoption leave, or can’t work because of a disability or caring duties, you still count as “working” and can apply.

3. When to Apply

  • You must have your code before the term starts.
  • For example, for a September term, you must apply by 31 August.
  • Applying early means no delays – so start as soon as you can!

How to Apply

  • Visit the government childcare portal.
  • Sign in or create an account (to create an account you will first need your Government Gateway user ID. If you’re a new user, you will need to register for one here).
  • Enter your details (you, your partner, your child).
  • Check you meet the rules and click “Apply.”
  • Wait for your code by email.
  • Give your code to us – you can do this via email or at drop-off.

 

👇 Take a look at our handy infographic below to see these simple steps in one view!

30 Hours Funded Childcare Infographic. Updated for 2025/2026

6. Keep Your Code Active

Every three months, log back into your GOV.UK childcare account to:

  • Confirm your details are still correct.
  • Avoid any pause in your government-funded hours.

Outdoor Toddlers

How Does Kids Planet Support Government Funded Childcare?

At Kids Planet, we know childcare costs can be tricky. That’s why we:

  • Remind you when it’s time to re-confirm your code every three months.
  • Answer any questions you have – just contact us or chat with your local setting.
  • Plan fun, learning-filled days for your child.

Extra Support You Might Get

Tax-Free Childcare

  • Who it’s for: Any working family (including those with the 30 hours code).
  • What you save: Up to £2,000 per child per year (or £4,000 if your child has a disability).

How to use it:

  1. Apply or sign in at the same GOV.UK childcare account.
  2. Deposit money into your Tax-Free Childcare account.
  3. The government adds £2 for every £8 you pay in.
  4. Pay us from your Tax-Free Childcare balance.
  5. Learn more about Tax-Free Childcare here

💡Key point: This runs alongside your 30 hours code – so you can stack the savings.

15-Hour Entitlement for Families on Benefits

Who it’s for: Families receiving any of these benefits:

  • Income Support
  • Universal Credit
  • Jobseeker’s Allowance
  • Child Tax Credit

What you get:

  • 15 hours of government-funded childcare per week for 2-year-olds.
  • 15 hours per week for 3-year-olds.

💡Important: This does not change under the September 2025 rules – benefit-only families remain on 15 hours, not 30 hours.

Childcare Funding in Other Nations

If you live outside England, each nation has its own offer and rules. Visit your local government page for full details:

  • Wales – Up to 30 hours of early education and childcare for 3- and 4-year-olds (plus 10 hours for some 2-year-olds): Childcare Offer for Wales
  • Scotland – Up to 1,140 hours of funded early learning and childcare each year (30 hours per week over 38 weeks): Help Paying for Childcare
  • Northern Ireland – Up to 30 hours of free childcare for eligible working parents of children aged 2–4: Childcare Costs and Funding

Feel free to click the links above to see exact eligibility rules, application dates, and how to apply in your nation!

The Benefits of Government-Funded Childcare

Getting government-funded childcare at Kids Planet brings big advantages for you and your child:

  • Saves You Money
    Ultimately, you pay less on childcare costs. That means more budget for your family’s needs.
  • Boosts Your Child’s Learning
    Your little one enjoys fun games, stories and activities that help them learn new skills – like talking, sharing and counting.
  • Supports Your Work Plans
    Whether you’re going back to work, studying or need extra hours, funded childcare gives you more freedom and confidence to plan your week.
  • Helps Children Make Friends
    Group play time builds social skills. Your child learns to take turns, help others and make friends.
  • Builds a Strong Foundation
    Early education at Kids Planet sets your child up for success at school and beyond.
  • Shows Children the Value of Learning
    By seeing you balance work and learning, your child grows up knowing how important education and goals can be.

Find out more from our funded hours expert, Jess Carter 👇

 

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A post shared by Kids Planet (@kidsplanetdaynurseries)

Funded Childcare FAQs

Here are some common questions we get about government funded childcare from parents:

When does 30 hours per week funded childcare start?

From September 2025, but you must apply before the August 31st 2025.

Do I need to reapply if I already get 15 hours of government-funded childcare?

No, you don’t need to apply again. If you already have a valid code for 15 hours and you’re eligible for 30 hours from September 2025, your code will update automatically. Just make sure you keep reconfirming your details every three months in your childcare account to keep your funding active.

Who is eligible for funded childcare?

1. From September 2025: 30 Hours for Working Parents

  • Who? Working parents (or both partners if you live together) of children aged 9 months up to school starting age.
  • Hours: 30 hours per week, for 38 weeks per year (term time)
  • Earnings test: Each partner (or you, if single) must earn at least £183 per week (16 hrs at the National Minimum Wage) and have a net annual income of £100,000 or less.
  • Immigration: You (and partner) need a National Insurance number and settled/pre-settled status or British/Irish citizenship.

2. Free 15 Hours for 2-Year-Olds on Benefits

Your 2-year-old can get 15 hours per week (38 weeks) if you receive any of these benefits:

  • Income Support
  • Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
  • Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
  • Universal Credit (household take-home pay £15,400 or less after tax, excluding benefits)
  • Guaranteed Pension Credit
  • Child Tax Credit and/or Working Tax Credit (or the 4-week “run-on” of Working Tax Credit)
  • Your child gets Disability Living Allowance

3. 3 and 4 Year-Olds: 15 or 30 Hours

  • All parents (regardless of income) of children aged 3–4 get 15 hours per week (570 hours per year, term time) by right.
  • Working parents (same earnings test as above) can get an additional 15 hours, making 30 hours total per week for their 3- and 4-year-olds

4. Universal Credit Childcare Element (Separate Top-Up)

What it does: Pays up to 85% of your actual registered childcare costs.

Monthly caps:

  • £1,031.88 per child
  • £1,768.94 for two or more children: GOV.UK.

Note: You normally pay upfront and claim back. This is in addition to any 15 or 30 hour entitlement and replaces Tax Credits, but cannot be used at the same time as Tax-Free Childcare.

How do I apply for funded childcare?

You will be asked by HMRC for details such as your name, address, date of birth and National Insurance number, as well as the same details for your partner (if you have one). You will be asked whether you expect to meet the income requirements over the coming three months and whether you are in receipt of any relevant benefits.

Can I spread the funded childcare hours over the year?

Yes! The 15/30-hour funded childcare is paid for 38 weeks of the year.  As most working parents prefer the funding to be spread over the year, the number of funded hours each week is more like 11 or 22. This equates to 570 per year for 15-hour funding and 1140 hours per year on the 30-hour funding scheme.

What is the minimum income to apply for free funded childcare? 

You, and any partner, must each expect to earn (on average) at least £183 per week (equal to 16 hours at the National Minimum).

How can I check if I’m eligible for funded childcare?

For more information, visit Childcare Choices

How can I find out more information about these changes?

Our blog outlines the changes being made and what they mean for working parents. You can also watch our CEO, Clare Roberts discuss the issue on the BBC’s Question Time.

How do I find funded childcare near me?

All our nurseries accept funded childcare places, subject to eligibility. Find your nearest Kids Planet nursery.

Where can I read more about the funded childcare I am entitled to?

Read more about how to apply the tax-free childcare or get in touch with one of our Nursery Managers to find out more about funded places or tax-free childcare at Kids Planet.

For more information about our policies and facilities, our Parent FAQs are a helpful resource to navigate you through them.

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