Working families may be able to get up to 30 hours free childcare, for 3 and 4 year old children. This means they can attend all week.

To be eligible for the additional 15 hours funding you must meet the following criteria:

• You, and any partner, must each expect to earn wages equal to 16 hours at the National Minimum or Living Wage as a minimum.
• If you, or your partner, are on maternity, paternity or adoption leave, or you’re unable to work because you are disabled or have caring responsibilities, you could still be eligible.
• You can’t get 30 hours free childcare if you, or your partner, expect to earn £100,000 or more.

Your child can start in their childcare place the term after they turn 3 years old and have received a valid 30 hours code, whichever is later. Term start dates are 1^st September, 1^stJanuary and 1^st April.

You may get asked for further information as part of your application, so apply well ahead of the start date for each term.

To keep your 30 hours free childcare place you need to check your details are up to date every 3 months. You will receive reminders to do this.

To check if you are eligible for a 30 hours (full time) funded place please visit www.childcarechoices.gov.uk and then give the code to the Office Staff to secure your child’s place.

Further information from the Government can be found here.