Ask us anything about funded childcare - eligibility, applying, and what to expect £100 voucher to be won!

[LibbyMumsnet]

From September, eligible working parents in England with children aged 9 months to school age will be able to access up to 30 hours of funded childcare per week - part of the government’s expanded childcare offer in England.

We know that for many parents, it’s not always straightforward. You might be wondering:
– Am I eligible?
– How do I apply – and what’s the deadline?
– What will funded hours actually look like in practice?
– How do I feel about sending my child to nursery or a childminder?

This Q&A is here to help. Whether you’re after clear, practical info about the funding or want a better sense of what formal childcare is really like, post your question below and we’ll do our best to get it answered.

No question is too small – if it’s on your mind, chances are it’s on someone else’s too.
We’ve brought together two brilliant experts to support this discussion:
👩‍💼 Sarah Walker, an experienced Early Years teacher, who can answer any questions about formal childcare
👩‍👧 Tina Williams, Head of Editorial at Mumsnet and a parent currently using funded hours, who’ll be sharing her real-life experience

They’ll be answering questions weekly throughout July and August in the lead-up to the 31st August application deadline.

💬 Ask your question below by 31st August and you’ll be entered into a prize draw to win a £100 VEX gift voucher (T&C’s apply)

Hi @littlecottonbud! With variable hours, the government looks at your average earnings over the last 3 months to check if you meet the minimum income threshold for 30 hours funding, which is the equivalent of 16 hours a week at national minimum/living wage. So if some months you work fewer hours but it balances out, that should be fine.

Just keep your info up to date when you reconfirm your eligibility every 3 months. Hope that helps!

Hi, sorry to hear about your redundancy @Almostone.

If you’re currently not working, you will not be eligible for the 30 hours funded childcare when your baby starts nursery.

It’s worth checking your eligibility on www.childcarechoices.gov.uk and reapplying once you’re back in work. Fingers crossed you find something soon!

Hi, thanks for your time!

I've heard nurseries can charge for meals/consumables from the start of the term, even if a child is starting at a later date (so charges before child is in attendance). Is this true and is there anything to be done about it?

Hi @Baby193! The 30 hours funded childcare is based on each parent meeting the work and income criteria. Unfortunately, your partner will be ineligible as a PhD student unless they can earn at least the minimum threshold outside of their studies.

Hi! You'll need to check with your provider. Some providers will stretch the funding over the year - so instead of 30 hours a week for 38 weeks, you might get fewer hours each week for 48 or 51 weeks, helping with cover during school holidays. Hope that helps @maciv234!

Hi @ruthr79 Yes, to qualify for the 30 hours from September 2025, you (and your partner, if you have one) must:

• Be working (or due to start a new job)
• Earn at least the minimum required over the next three months (the equivalent of 16 hours a week at minimum wage for your age)
• Earn less than £100,000 in adjusted net income per year, per parent
• Live in England

You're also eligible if you're on certain types of leave (like maternity, paternity, adoption or sick leave). If you’re self-employed, freelance or on a zero-hours contract, you may still be eligible, even if your income varies.

Even if you're not eligible for the 30 hours, remember: all three- and four-year-olds are entitled to 15 hours a week, regardless of household income or employment status.

You can check your eligibility at www.childcarechoices.gov.uk

Hello, each UK nation sets its own childcare funding rules, so England and Wales have different offers. For the latest info, check your local government site or www.childcarechoices.gov.uk for England. Hope that helps @SquashPenguin!

Hi! For 30 hours funding, both parents usually need to be working and expect to do so for the next 3 months after you apply, or reconfirm your eligibility.

If your partner’s contract is shorter or freelance, they’ll need to confirm they expect to earn the income threshold for 3 months to renew eligibility for the code.

If they are uncertain about their expected income, it might affect eligibility, but it’s worth checking with the childcare service as they can give advice based on your situation. Hope this helps @Writerscompanion!

Hello @greenmarsupial, thanks for the question! In order to be eligible for the working parent entitlement, both parents in a two parent household will need to earn between the equivalent of 16 hours a week at National Minimum/Living Wage, and less than £100,000 adjusted net income per year. As a bursary is not considered taxable earned income, this cannot be used towards the working parent entitlement unfortunately. However, students are still eligible for the universal 15 hours entitlement, which is available for all 3 and 4 year olds.

Hi @Usernamenope! If you are eligible, you can use Tax-Free Childcare or Universal Credit Childcare to help pay for wraparound childcare. Just check with your provider to be sure they accept it!

Another question!

I'm a teacher, normally full time but on mat leave currently. I have told my employer I would like to go down to 3 days a week. They organised a 3 day timetable for my return already (timetables were done a month after I went on mat leave in Feb and I told my manager about wanting to go part time 3 days, before I went on mat leave).

I have sent in my flexible working request, just waiting for official approval.

Question:
Will me going part time affect when I should apply for the funded hours and/or tax-free childcare?

Hi @Andriano From September, up to 30 hours childcare is available for eligible working families with children aged from 9 months up until they start school. If you are not eligible for the working parent offer you will still receive the 15 hour entitlement for all 3 and 4 year olds from the term after your child turns 3 until they start school, irrespective of your income level, benefit status, or family circumstances. There is also 15 hours available for children aged 2 years receiving additional forms of support. Visit www.childcarechoices.gov.uk to check your eligibility and find out more about each offer.

Hi @Ina24! No, there aren’t specific government benefits for grandparents looking after babies, nor are you able to use the entitlements for childcare provided by a relative, such as a grandparent.

Hi @NATALIEANNE89! Yes, you can still get funded childcare on Statutory Maternity Pay if you meet the income rules. You can apply from when your LO is 23 weeks old, and funding starts the term after they turn 9 months.

If you are not eligible for the working parent offer you will still receive the 15 hour entitlement for all 3 and 4 year olds from the term after your child turns 3 until they start school, irrespective of your income level, benefit status, or family circumstances. There is also 15 hours available for children aged 2 years receiving additional forms of support. Visit www.childcarechoices.gov.uk to check your eligibility and find out more about each offer.

Hi @Lorlypop - you need to apply, and get a code, before each term starts to get your funded hours on time. If your child turns 9 months old:

• between 1 Apr– 31 Aug, apply by 31 Aug for hours from 1 Sept
• between 1 Sept– 31 Dec, apply by 31 Dec for hours from 1 Jan
• between 1 Jan– 31 Mar, apply by 31 Mar for hours from 1 Apr

You can visit www.childcarechoices.gov.uk for more details on deadlines.

Thanks for the question @DinkyDaffodil!

Yes, you might need to provide proof of ID and residency when applying for funded childcare or Tax-Free Childcare. To make things easier, when making your application you might want to have to hand:

• Your National Insurance number
• Your child’s birth certificate reference
• Recent payslips or proof of income
• Passport or residence permit

Many of the government childcare offers help to support parents with the cost of childcare whilst they go to work but we also know that every family is different. Lots of people care deeply for children - whether it’s mums, dads, grandparents, or other carers. The important thing is a loving, safe environment where the child feels happy and supported @prettypeace 😊

Yes, as long as you have applied and recieved your code before the deadline and your chosen setting has space. You should check with your new provider to confirm when you would like to start. Hope that helps @NoSherbert!

Hi @Newusername1234567 - since your child was born on 28 December 2025, he’ll turn 9 months old on 28 September 2026. That means he’ll become eligible for funded childcare for working parents from the term starting on or after 1 January 2027.

You should apply for your entitlement by 31 December 2026, if you want to take up those hours from 1 January 2027. Hope that helps.

Hello @ButterOllocks You will need to speak to your childcare provider — some are more flexible and may help you manage hours creatively.

Contact your local council’s early years team to ask if they allow mid-year changes in exceptional circumstances.

Plan ahead for the next declaration period to switch to stretched hours officially.

Hi @TheChirpyLurker! LAs are required to provide sufficient childcare places for children in their area. To find providers you can check your local council’s Family Information Service (FIS). You can also contact nurseries directly to ask if they offer the funding but do make sure the provider is Ofsted registered (only they can accept funded hours). If you contact a childminder, make sure they are Ofsted registered or with a childminder agency that is Ofsted registered. It’s best to get in touch early as places can be limited. Good luck with finding something that works for you!

Hi! Finding a nursery place can take a bit of planning, especially with the new 30-hour funded childcare for under-3s starting soon. Lots of nurseries are welcoming more children and expanding their places. The government is also investing to create more spots and recruit extra staff, so things are improving.

To give yourself the best chance, apply early and get in touch with local nurseries or childminders to check availability. Keep an eye on updates from your council and the Department for Education too! If you still need help, speak to your local authority.

Thanks for the question @clairewoods137

Many thanks for this helpful reply! Nursery has said we have a grace period for the next term ie up to 31st December, but the manager wasn’t sure if it applied to both the tax-free childcare and the 30 funded hours, would you be able to say?

This isn’t necessarily true. In some areas the funding doesn’t travel with the child. In a mid term transfer, the new setting may not be able to claim any remaining hours so it’s definitely worth checking first. Also, in some local authorities, a child starting mid term may not qualify for funding as they cannot be put on as a late starter if they have previously used funding at another setting. They may have to pay the usual rate until the next term when funding can be applied. Please check before making the decision to transfer mid term.

Dartford crossing!

Does anyone know why on earth we are all STILL paying this off? And worse still, how it is getting more expensive ? The tunnel was paid of ages ago so they shouldn't still be charging for it. They are all just taking the P now!