Help with childcare costs

From September 2025, working parents may be entitled to up to 30 hours funded childcare for 38 weeks per year, for children from the term after they turn 9 months old if you are:

• a two-parent family, both working and each earning the equivalent of 16 hours per week paid at the national minimum or living wage
• each earning less than £100,000 per year

OR

• a single parent, working and earning the equivalent of 16 hours per week paid at national minimum or living wage
• earning less than £100,000 per year

Immigration status

To be eligible for the funded childcare, you must have a National Insurance Number and at least one of the following:

• British or Irish citizenship
• Settled or pre-settled status, or have applied and waiting for a decision
• Permission to access public funds, as shown on your UK Residence Card

If you have a partner, they must also have a National Insurance number

How to apply

You must apply through HMRC at childcarechoices.gov.uk the term before you want the place to start.

Your entitlement

If you are eligible, HMRC will issue you with a code which you must give to your childcare provider. Children will be eligible to claim from the term after they turn 9 months old or the term following the date the eligibility code was issued (whichever is later).

The eligibility code must have a validity start date on or before the following dates:

• Autumn Term: a validity start date on or before 31 August
• Spring Term: a validity start date on or before 31 December
• Summer Term: a validity start date on or before 31 March

You must reconfirm your code every three months by logging into your secure account.

Funding is paid directly to the childcare provider.

For further information about eligibility please contact HMRC’s Customer Interaction Centre on 0300 123 4097.

To sign up to regular updates and for more details about the expansion, including finding out how and when to apply and how to register for support with childcare costs go to Childcare Choices.