Working Families: Free childcare for 9 months to two year olds (New 2024)

In September 2024, childcare support was extended to eligible working parents of children from the term following them reaching the age of 9 months.This means they may be entitled to 15 hours free early education over 38 weeks of the year.

Under Two Start Dates (PDF, 88 KB)

You can apply for a code from your child being 23 weeks old. However, please note, the code needs to be re-validated every three months, therefore, if it is applied for more than 3 months in advance of a start date, it will need to be re-validated before childcare begins.

Some providers may allow you to stretch these hours over more weeks, using fewer hours per week.

To check if you are eligible under this new criteria, please set up or log into your Government Gateway account (opens new window) and apply for a code online. 

If you're returning to work or starting a new job

The date you start or return to work will affect when you can apply for free childcare. 

If returning to or starting work between:

• 1 May to 30 September - childcare hours may begin autumn term on or after 1 September
• 1 October to 31 January - childcare hours may begin spring term on or after 1 January
• 1 February to 30 April - childcare hours may begin summer term on or after 1 April