Baby due Sept 2025- when do I apply for free childcare hours?

[LaurenB13]

Hi all,

im due 13th September 2025 with my first child and I am clueless!

I understand from Sept 2025 I may be eligible for 30 hours free childcare per week. When do I need to apply for this if I plan on doing nursery from when the baby is 9 months old?

so ill need nursery from June 2026…

First of all, the funding is from the start of the term after your baby is 9 months so would be from September 2026 ie the start of the autumn term, not halfway through the summer term.

Yes agree you'll be eligible from September 2026 so I would apply around July 2026 assuming you are back to work by then. If you choose to extend your mat leave then you won't be able to apply until 31 days before your return to work.

As pp have said, you only need to apply for your funding code quite close to the time, but you should start asking around about nursery / childminder places much earlier. Some areas have very long waiting lists and some people need to get on a waiting list whilst still pregnant (hopefully you are in an area that isn't quite that bad!). Worth asking on local mum / fb / next door groups for recs. Once you are on the waiting list, you can then just give them the code before baby starts.

You can't get a code until 31 days before you return to work, then they can start the term after turning 9 months