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

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

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

When your child will become eligible for free childcare based on when they were born.
Child born betweenWill become eligible for free childcare
1 January and 31 MarchThe start of term 5 following their third birthday (after Easter holiday)
1 April and 31 AugustThe start of term 1 following their third birthday (after summer holiday)
1 September and 31 DecemberThe 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. If they are already eligible by age, apply in the term before you wish to take up the offer.

If you don't apply within the 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 will become eligible for free 30 hours childcare based on when they turn 3, when to apply and the deadline.
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.

Read our guide to 30-hour funding. It explains the full eligibility criteria, how to apply, and other details.