Everything You Need to Know About the New Government Funded Hours
In England, the government has expanded childcare support so that since September 2025 all eligible working parents of children aged 9 months to school age can access up to 30 hours of funded childcare per week for each academic term.
- The Funding Period: What Does this Mean for You?
- Check Eligibility
- Eligibility Criteria
- Tax Free Childcare
- Leave Status
- Immigration Status
- Universal Credit
- Workplace Salary Sacrifice Scheme
- Savings
- Further Information
We stretch funding over a period of 50 weeks per year. What does this mean for you?
If you're eligible for:
- 15 hours per week (570 hours per year), we offer 11.4 stretched hours per week.
Monthly Average 47.5 hrs per month
- 30 hours per week (1,140 hours per year), we offer 22.8 stretched hours per week.
Monthly Average 95 hrs per month
Check Eligibility
You are eligible for working parent / universal funding the term after your child turns 9 mths old / 3 yrs old.
| DOB 1st Jan - 31st Mar | Term starting on or after 1st April. |
| DOB 1st Apr - 31st Aug | Term starting on or after 1st September. |
| DOB 1st Sept - 31st Dec | Term starting on or after 1st January. |
- Use the Childcare Calculator on GOV.UK.
- Apply online through Childcare Services on GOV.UK - you can apply from when your child is 23 weeks old.
Successful applicants will receive an 11-digit eligibility code to pass onto your childcare provider.
Don’t forget to reconfirm eligibility every 3 months to keep the code valid.
|
Eligibility Criteria |
To qualify for the working parent entitlements, you (and your partner, if applicable). Earn at least 16 hours pay per week at the national minimum or living Wage (approx £195). Earn less than £100,00 adjusted net income pay be able to access public funds to. |
|
Tax Free Childcare |
For every £8 you pay into an online account, the government adds £2 (up to £2000 per child per year, or £4,000 if your child is disabled. |
|
Leave Status |
You can be still eligible if you are on maternity, paternity or adoption leave. |
|
Immigration Status |
You and your partner must have a National Insurance Number. The applicant must also have British/Irish citizenship, pre settled status or permission to access public funds. |
|
Universal Credit |
Working Parents on UC can claim back up to 85% of their childcare costs up to a maximum of £1,031.88 for one child or £1,768.94 |
Workplace Salary Sacrifice Scheme
The workplace nursery scheme is a tax-efficient arrangement that allows employees to pay for nursery fees through SALARY SACRIFICE. Fees are deducted from gross (pretax salary) employees only pay tax and NI on their remaining income. The workplace nursery benefit is often uncapped potentially saving parents up to 47% of their total nursery bill.
Savings
- BASIC RATE TAXPAYER can save approximately £2,250 - £3,192 per annum.
- HIGHER RATE TAXPAYER Can save approximately £4,150 - £5,838 per annum.
PLEASE BE AWARE that by using this scheme it can have an impact on your pension.
Further information
- https://www.gov.uk/childcare-calculator
- https://www.gov.uk/sign-in-childcare-account
- https://www.surreycc.gov.uk/children/support-and-advice/families
- https://beststartinlife.gov.uk
