Free childcare

Do you have a 2, 3 or 4 year old? Did you know every 3 and 4 year old, as well as some 2 year olds, are entitled to 15 free hours of early education and childcare over 38 weeks. You might be able to spread your childcare over more weeks depending on your provider. This is called 'stretched funding'.

If you are a working parent you also may qualify for an extra 15 hours of childcare for your 3 or 4 year old.

New childcare funding from April 2024

Between April 2024 to September 2025, childcare support will change. By September 2025, most working families with children under 5 will be entitled to 30 hours of childcare.

The changes will happen in phases.

PhaseMonth The change
1 April 2024 Eligible working parents of 2 year olds can apply for 15 hours childcare support.
2 September 2024 15 hours childcare support will be extended to eligible working parents of children from 9 months to 3 years old.
3 September 2025 Eligible working parents of children under 5 years old, will be entitled to 30 hours of childcare a week.

Your child can start their childcare place the term after they are eligible and have received a valid eligibility code, whichever is later. Term dates start:

  • 1 September
  • 1 January
  • 1 April.

Some 2 year olds can get up to 15 hours of free childcare per week for 38 weeks of the year.

Some childcare providers offer fewer hours per week over extra weeks (up to 570 hours).

This is a national childcare scheme known in Kent as 'Free for 2' and is available to 2 year olds who meet the government's eligibility criteria.

Once you have been confirmed eligible for a free 2 year old place, the funding will remain with your child until they take up their free 3 year old place. Even if your circumstances change.

Find out if your child is eligible

Child born between Will become eligible for free early education and childcare
1 January and 31 March The start of term 5 following their second birthday (after Easter holiday)
1 April and 31 August The start of term 1 following their second birthday (after summer holiday)
1 September and 31 December The start of term 3 following their second birthday (after Christmas/New Year holiday)

Apply

You can apply for Free for 2 when your child reaches 1 year and 10 months. Don't apply before then.

Free childcare is not available until after your child turns two, even if you apply and receive a voucher code.

You will need an email address to create an account.

If you think you meet the government criteria for 2 year old funding, complete an application below.

Check eligibility and apply online now

Application support

If you need help, use our guidance for support using the application system (PDF, 829.8 KB).

If you are a non-UK citizen who cannot claim benefits and do not have a National Insurance (NI) or National Asylum Support Service (NASS), email miearlyyears@kent.gov.uk for help.

If you can’t apply online

Please do not apply more than once as this can delay the checking process.

Using your free childcare for 2 year olds funding

For more information on eligibility and using your free childcare for 2 year olds, read our guide for parents.

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Free for 2 - video transcript

Starting on 2 January, if you are an eligible working parent, you can apply for 15 hours of childcare for your 2-year-old.

You must apply for the summer term before 31 March. The best time to apply is mid-January to the end of February, just in case you need to provide extra information to help your application.

If you apply more than 3 months before the start of the new term, you will need to reconfirm your details before the end of the month before the start of the new term. This is to ensure you are still eligible.

Eligibility

To qualify for a childcare code you must meet the following criteria. Each parent must :

  • earn at least £8,600 a year
  • earn under £100,000 adjusted net income a year
  • work the equivalent of 16 hours a week national minimum/living wage.

Visit Childcare Choices for more information, to sign up for updates and try out the handy eligibility checker to discover how you can save money on your childcare.

Apply for free childcare if you're working.

All 3 and 4 year olds are entitled to 15 hours of free childcare each week for 38 weeks a year.

Some childcare providers may offer fewer hours per week over more weeks of a year (up to 570 hours). This is known as stretched funding.

The Department for Education sets the dates for when children become eligible by age. The dates apply to both the universal (15 hours) and extended (30 hours) entitlement.

Child born between Will become eligible for free childcare
1 January and 31 March The start of term 5 following their third birthday (after Easter holiday)
1 April and 31 August The start of term 1 following their third birthday (after summer holiday)
1 September and 31 December The start of term 3 following their third birthday (after Christmas/New Year holiday)

You do not need to apply for this funding. Simply find a childcare provider who is registered with us to deliver it to access your 15 hours.

For more information about using your funding, read our parents' guide to 15 hours .

Eligible working families with 3 and 4 year olds can receive up to 30 hours of free childcare each week. This is an extra 15 hours of free childcare in addition to the universal entitlement and is known as extended entitlement.

It is available over 38 weeks a year or some childcare providers may offer fewer hours per week over more weeks a year (up to 1,140 hours in total for the combined 30 hours).

The Department for Education sets the dates for when children become eligible by age.

Child born between Will become eligible for free childcare
1 January and 31 March The start of term 5 following their third birthday (after Easter holiday)
1 April and 31 August The start of term 1 following their third birthday (after summer holiday)
1 September and 31 December The start of term 3 following their third birthday (after Christmas/New Year holiday)

When to apply

You must apply for your 30 hours eligibility code in the term before your child becomes eligible by age or if already eligible by age, in the term before you wish to take up the offer.

If you don't apply within these government recommended timeframes, you may not get your code in time.

If you receive your code, and do not apply before the deadline, you can only take your childcare place until the term after.

When your child turns 3When they can get 30 hours fromRecommended time to applyDeadline for applying
1 September to 31 December1 January15 October to 30 November31 December
1 January to 31 March1 April15 January to 28 February31 March
1 April to 31 August1 September15 June to 31 July31 August

Apply for 30 hours

Before you apply, you’ll need to sign up online and get an eligibility code. Once you have the code, you can continue to apply.

Apply for 30 hours of free childcare

Don't forget, once you have your 30 hours childcare place, you’ll need to confirm your eligibility every 3 months.

To find out about full eligibility criteria, how to apply and other information read our guide to 30 hour funding .

For other options and information to support you with childcare costs visit Childcare Choices.