Apply for free childcare if you're working
If you live in England, use this service to apply for a code to get free childcare.
You can get:
- 15 hours a week if your child is 9 months to 2 years old
- 30 hours a week if your child is 3 to 4 years old
To apply you’ll need to set up a childcare account.
There are different schemes in Scotland, schemes in Wales and schemes in Northern Ireland.
If you pay for childcare and want to use Tax-Free Childcare to get help with costs, you can also apply using this service.
If you’re applying for free childcare and someone else already claims Tax-Free Childcare for that child, your application will be unsuccessful.
This service is also available in Welsh (Cymraeg).
When to apply for 15 hours free childcare
You can apply from when your child is 23 weeks old.
| When your child is 9 months old | When you can get your hours from | When to apply |
|---|---|---|
| 1 September to 31 December | Term starting on or after 1 January | The term before 1 January |
| 1 January to 31 March | Term starting on or after 1 April | The term before 1 April |
| 1 April to 31 August | Term starting on or after 1 September | The term before 1 September |
Check with your childcare provider to find out the exact date your free childcare starts.
When to apply for 30 hours free childcare
You can apply from when your child is 2 years and 36 weeks.
| Your child’s 3rd birthday | When you can get your hours from | When to apply |
|---|---|---|
| 1 September to 31 December | Term starting on or after 1 January | The term before 1 January |
| 1 January to 31 March | Term starting on or after 1 April | The term before 1 April |
| 1 April to 31 August | Term starting on or after 1 September | The term before 1 September |
You must apply for a code by the end of the month before a new term starts. For example, if the term starts on 1 September you must apply by 31 August. Providers may ask for a code before this deadline.
Check with your childcare provider to find out the exact date your free childcare starts.
If you’re returning to work or starting a new job
The date you start or return to work will affect when you can apply for free childcare.
| Date of starting or returning to work | When you can get your hours from | When to apply |
|---|---|---|
| 1 May to 30 September | Term starting on or after 1 September | 1 April to 31 August |
| 1 October to 31 January | Term starting on or after 1 January | 1 September to 31 December |
| 1 February to 30 April | Term starting on or after 1 April | 1 January to 31 March |
What you need to apply
You’ll need your details (and your partner’s, if you have one), including your:
- National Insurance number
- Unique Taxpayer Reference (UTR), if you’re self-employed
You’ll also need:
- the UK birth certificate reference number (if you have one) of any children you’re applying for
- the date you started or are due to start work (this can be approximate if more than 3 months ago)
If you’re a director
You’ll need to show you meet the minimum income requirements to be eligible. HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) will try to check this using your PAYE records.
If you do not submit regular PAYE information, you may have to provide evidence to show you are working and expect to meet the minimum income requirements for the next 3 months. This could be:
- wage slips
- bank statements
- a statement from your accountant
- copies of invoices
If you’re not paid regularly (for example, once a year) you may need to send other evidence to show you’ll meet the minimum income requirements, such as:
- annual wage slips
- year end payroll
- a letter from your tax agent or adviser confirming your salary has been paid and taxed
You’ll need to do this the first time you apply, and every time you reconfirm your eligibility.
If you have a partner
You must include your partner in your application if you’re:
- married or in a civil partnership and live together
- not married or in a civil partnership, but living together as though you are
Their employment and income will not affect your eligibility if they:
- are or will be absent from your household for more than 6 months
- are a prisoner
You and your partner cannot both have a code for the same child.
If you are separated
You and your ex-partner need to decide who should apply if you are jointly responsible for your child.
If you cannot decide, both of you must apply separately and HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) will decide who gets a childcare code.
Apply for a code
It usually takes 20 minutes to apply. You may find out if you’re eligible straight away, but it can take up to 7 days.
Once your application has been approved, you’ll get a code for free childcare to give to your childcare provider.
What you need to know
You have to reconfirm your eligibility every 3 months. If you apply more than 3 months before the term starts, you’ll have to reconfirm your eligibility in your account in order to keep your code valid.
How you can use your free childcare
If your child is aged from 9 months old to 2 years, you may be able to get 15 hours free childcare per week for 38 weeks of the year (during school term time).
If your child is 3 to 4 years old, you may be able to get 30 hours free childcare per week for 38 weeks of the year (during school term time).
You may be able to get free childcare for up to 52 weeks a year by choosing to take fewer hours over more weeks. Check with your childcare provider to find out if this is something they offer.
The childcare:
- must be with an approved childcare provider
- stops when your child starts in reception class (or reaches compulsory school age, if later)
Extra costs
Although the childcare is free, you may have to pay for some extra costs, such as:
- meals
- nappies
- additional hours
- additional activities, such as trips
Your provider should not charge you a top-up fee or a non-refundable registration fee.
Ask your provider what extra costs you will have to pay for.