Here’s a guide to what may be available, when it can start and what to do next.
| Your child’s age | What may be available |
|---|---|
| From 9 months | Up to 30 funded hours a week for eligible working families, from the term after your child turns 9 months old. |
| Age 2 | 15 funded hours for some children or families receiving additional support, or up to 30 hours for eligible working families. |
| Age 3 or 4 | 15 funded hours for every child in England, or up to 30 hours for eligible working families. |
Funded hours are usually calculated over 38 weeks of the year. At some nurseries, they can be spread across more weeks by using fewer hours each week. We’ll explain the options available at your chosen DEN nursery.
If your child is aged between 9 months and 4 years and you work, you may be eligible for 30 funded hours a week. Eligibility depends on your circumstances, including your earnings, the circumstances of your partner if you have one, and your immigration status. The working-parent scheme is unavailable if either parent expects an adjusted net income of more than £100,000 in the current tax year. Some exceptions to the usual working rules apply.
For working-parent funding, the start date depends on when your child turns 9 months old:
| Your child turns 9 months | Funding can start | Apply by |
|---|---|---|
| 1 January to 31 March | 1 April | 31 March |
| 1 April to 31 August | 1 September | 31 August |
| 1 September to 31 December | 1 January | 31 December |
Different timing rules can apply if you’re starting a job or returning from maternity, paternity, shared parental or adoption leave.
- Check your eligibility using the GOV.UK service.
- Apply online. If approved, you’ll receive an 11-digit childcare code.
- Share your code with us so we can verify your eligibility and discuss the sessions available.
- Reconfirm every three months through your childcare account to keep your funding.
All 3 and 4-year-olds in England can receive 15 funded hours a week for 38 weeks of the year, regardless of whether their parents work.
Some 2-year-olds can also receive 15 funded hours because they or their family receive certain types of additional support. This can include some families receiving Universal Credit, children with an Education, Health and Care plan, children receiving Disability Living Allowance, and some children who have left local authority care. If your child qualifies for this scheme and you also qualify for working-parent funding, you may be able to receive up to 30 hours in total. GOV.UK advises families eligible for both schemes to apply for the 2-year-old entitlement first.
We’ll talk you through the funded hours available at your chosen nursery and how they fit with the days and sessions you need. Where available, funding may be spread across more than 38 weeks, giving you fewer funded hours each week over a longer period.
Funded childcare hours are free to access. Meals, nappies, additional hours and optional activities may have separate charges. We’ll clearly explain any costs and the available alternatives before you decide on a place. And unlike many nurseries, we don’t charge a registration fee.
Don’t forget Tax-Free Childcare
Funded hours aren’t the only help available. If you’re eligible for Tax-Free Childcare, the government adds £2 for every £8 you pay into your childcare account, up to £2,000 per child each year, or £4,000 for a disabled child. Eligible families can use it alongside funded hours to help pay for other childcare costs.
Still not sure what applies to your family?
That’s completely understandable. Tell us your child’s age and which DEN nursery you’re interested in. We’ll help you understand the funding options, the sessions available and what your nursery costs could look like.
