Funded childcare for working parents

Starting from April 2024, existing childcare support will be expanded in phases. By September 2025, most working families with children under the age of 5 will be entitled to 30 hours of childcare support.

The changes are being introduced gradually to ensure that providers can meet the needs of more families. This means that from:

  • April 2024, eligible working parents of 2-year-olds will be able to access 15 hours of childcare support
  • September 2024, 15 hours of childcare support will be extended to eligible working parents of children from the age of 9 months to 3-year-olds
  • September 2025, eligible working parents of children under the age of 5 will be entitled to 30 hours of childcare a week

Like the existing offer, depending on your provider, these hours can be used over 38 weeks of the year or up to 52 weeks if you use fewer than your total hours per week.

Eligibility criteria

To check the full eligibility criteria and exceptions to eligibility, visit HMRC's Childcare Choices website.