Childcare September 2018

Spaces available from September 2018 with provisiion of 15 and 30 hour funded places for 3 and 4 year olds

15 hours free childcare

All children in England get 570 free hours per year. It's usually taken as 15 hours a week for 38 weeks of the year, but you can choose to take fewer hours over more weeks. You can get it from the term after your child's 3rd birthday.

30 hours free childcare

You may be able to get up to 30 hours free childcare (1,140 hours per year, which you can choose how you take).

If you're eligible for the extra hours, you sign up online to get a code to give to your childcare provider to reserve your place. You'll get the extra hours once the next term starts.

Eligibility

You can usually get 30 hours free childcare if you (and your partner, if you have one) are:

• in work - or getting parental leave, sick leave or annual leave
• each earning at least the National Minimum Wage or Living Wage for 16 hours a week - this is £125.28 if you're over 25

This earnings limit does not apply if you're self-employed and started your business less than 12 months ago.

You're not eligible if:

• your child does not usually live with you
• the child is your foster child
• either you or your partner has a taxable income over £100,000
• you're from outside the EEA and your UK residence card says you cannot access public funds

You can get 30 hours free childcare at the same time as claiming Universal Credit, tax credits or childcare vouchers.

If you cannot work

You may still be eligible if your partner is working, and you get Incapacity Benefit, Severe Disablement Allowance, Carer's Allowance or Employment and Support Allowance.