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Government money

Free childcare for working parents

From HMRC / Department for Education

Up to 30 hours a week from 9 months

Up to 30 hours a week of funded childcare from 9 months, term time

Go to GOV.UK

Who can get it?

  • Only for families in England
  • For working parents

How to claim

Government sign-inOnline form
  1. 1Create a childcare account on GOV.UK and apply. It takes about 20 minutes.
  2. 2Apply the term before your child turns 9 months. The deadlines are 31 March, 31 August and 31 December.
  3. 3You get an 11-digit code to give your nursery or childminder.
  4. 4Reconfirm your details every 3 months or the code stops working.

Have these ready

  • Your and your partner's National Insurance numbers
  • Your child's birth certificate reference number
  • Your work start date
  • UTR if self-employed

Checked on GOV.UK on 3 October 2026. Offers change, so check before you rely on it.

When to apply

Opens

5 months after birth

Best by

9 months after birth

Apply the term before 9 months

See your exact dates

Add your due date to see when this opens and closes for you, whether you qualify, and track it with everything else you can claim.

Check what I can claim