Advice

How to Apply for Nursery Funded Hours in England | 2026 Guide

By Steven Clarke Nuuri

Page updated 29 September 2025

Reading time: 6 minutes

How to apply for funded nursery hours in England? Our step-by-step guide covers eligibility, application process, timing, and renewal deadlines.

Applying for funded nursery hours in England can feel confusing, especially with recent changes to who qualifies and when funding starts. Between eligibility rules, term dates, and renewal deadlines, it’s easy to miss a step that could delay or reduce your childcare support.

This guide focuses purely on the steps you’ll need to take through the application process. It explains how to apply for funded nursery hours in England, what you’ll need before you start, when to apply, and how to keep your funding once it’s approved.

Who This Guide Is For

This guide is designed for parents and carers in England who:

Are applying for 15 or 30 hours of funded nursery childcare
Have a child starting nursery soon, or are planning ahead
Already know (or believe) they may be eligible and want clear next steps
Need help understanding where and how to apply, not just what funding exists

If you’re still working out which funding you qualify for or how funded hours affect your overall childcare costs, make sure to read Understanding Nursery Costs in the UK first. Once you’re ready to apply, this guide will walk you through the process step by step.

Who is Eligible for Free Childcare in England?

Here’s a quick overview of who’s eligible to apply for funded nursery care and free childcare hours.

1. All 3- and 4-Year-Olds

Every child in England is entitled to 15 free hours per week (570 hours per year, term time) starting the term after they turn 3.
Many families also qualify for an extra 15 hours (total 30 hours) under the working-parent scheme.

2. Working Families – 30 Hours Funding

The 30-hour offer is extended to younger ages for working parents:

From 9 months up to school age: If you meet the working-parent eligibility rules, your child can now receive 30 free childcare hours per week (term time, or pro rata when stretched) starting the term after they reach 9 months.
The same income and work conditions apply (e.g. minimum work hours, earnings under £100,000 per parent).

Previously, in April and September 2024, the rollout introduced:

15 hours for 2-year-olds in eligible families
15 hours for children from 9 months from September 2024
This new 30-hour extension completes the scheme’s rollout.

3. Some 2-Year-Olds (Non-Working Parents)

You may still qualify for 15 free hours for a 2-year-old if you meet certain criteria, such as:

Income-related benefits (Universal Credit, Income Support, etc.)
Your child has an EHC plan or receives Disability Living Allowance
Your child is in care, adopted, or under special guardianship

Use the Government Best Start In Life Eligibility Checker to confirm your entitlement.

New Funded Hours from 9 Months

Eligible children from 9 months old can access 15 hours initially, moving to 30 hours per week under full eligibility once the expansion is fully phased.
The offer begins the term after your child turns 9 months old.
Working and income eligibility criteria mirror those for 30 hours for older children.

Eligibility depends on your child’s age and your household circumstances. If you’re unsure which funding applies to you, it’s worth checking the Gov.uk site before starting the application process.

What You Need Before You Apply for Funded Childcare

Getting a few things ready in advance will make the application process much smoother and help you avoid delays.

Before you apply, make sure you have:

Your child’s date of birth and home address
Your National Insurance number
An email address you check regularly (important for reminders and renewals)
Details of your employment and income (for 30-hour funding)
A GOV.UK childcare account set up in your name

If you’re applying for 30 funded hours, you’ll also need to complete an eligibility check and receive a funding code, which you’ll later give to your nursery or local authority.

When you’re choosing a nursery for your child, it’s also a good idea to check whether it offers funded places for your child’s age group, as not all settings accept funded hours for younger children.

How to Apply for Nursery Funded Hours in England

Once you’ve checked that you’re likely to be eligible, the application itself is fairly straightforward. The key is applying at the right time and making sure your details stay up to date.

Step 1: Check Your Eligibility

Start by using the government’s Best Start in Life childcare eligibility checker. This will confirm whether you qualify for funded hours and, if applicable, whether you’re eligible for 30 hours as a working parent.

Step 2: Get Your Funding Code (30 Hours Only)

If you qualify for 30 funded hours, the government will generate a unique eligibility code for your child. This code confirms that you meet the income and work requirements.

You don’t need a code for the universal 15 hours, but most nurseries will still need confirmation of your child’s details and start date.

Step 3: Choose a Nursery That Accepts Funded Hours

Use Nuuri to search for nurseries near you that meet all your criteria (for example those with the best staff to child ratios and qualified Early Years Practitioners on the team). In England, only Ofsted-registered childcare providers can offer funded hours, and not all nurseries accept funding for every age group (particularly for children under two).

Before applying, confirm that:

The nursery accepts funded hours for your child’s age
They have availability for the term you want to start
They can offer the number of funded hours you plan to use

Step 4: Share Your Code and Details

Once you’ve chosen a nursery, you’ll need to give them:

Your child’s details
Your eligibility code (if applicable)
Any documents your local council requires

Some councils manage this centrally, while others allow nurseries to handle it directly. Your nursery will tell you what applies in your area.

Step 5: Renew Every 3 Months

For 30-hour funding, you must reconfirm eligibility every 3 months via the Best Start In Life government website. If you don’t renew in time, you might lose your funded place so it’s really important to stay on top of the application.

When to Apply For Funded Childcare in England (and Why Timing Matters)

Funded nursery hours don’t start immediately, they begin from the term after your child becomes eligible, which makes timing especially important.

In England, funding starts at the beginning of:

Autumn term (September)
Spring term (January)
Summer term (April)

If you miss the cut-off for a term, you may have to wait several months for funding to begin, even if your child has already started nursery.

To avoid delays, make sure to apply before the term starts (and confirm start dates directly with your nursery). When your child starts nursery will depend on when their birthday is, so allow extra time if your child is close to an age threshold (e.g. their birthday is around August/September).

If you’re planning childcare around a specific return-to-work date, it’s worth applying earlier than you think. Also bear in mind that you can stretch your hours over the year (for example, using fewer hours per week across more weeks).

What Funded Hours Do (and Don’t) Cover

Funded nursery hours reduce your childcare bill, but they don’t always cover everything. In England, your funded hours pay for the childcare itself, up to your entitlement

You may still be charged for:

Meals and snacks
Nappies and wipes
Trips or special activities
Extra hours outside your funded entitlement

Each nursery sets its own policies, so always ask for a clear breakdown before you start.

Final Tip Before You Apply

Apply early, double-check your eligibility dates, and keep your details up to date. Funded nursery hours can make a real difference to childcare costs, but only if everything is in place before your child starts.

To find a reliable list of nurseries near you that accept funded hours, Nuuri lets you search by location, read parent reviews, and check whether settings offer funded places for your child’s age group.

Find the right nursery with Nuuri and get started with applying for funded childcare.

How to Apply for Nursery Funded Hours in Your Council Area

We’ve listed links to each council website below so you can find specific application guidance:

Frequently asked questions

Apply as soon as you know your child will be eligible and before the term you want funding to start. Funding begins at the start of term (September, January, or April), so if you miss a deadline, you might have to wait several months. It's better to apply too early than too late.

All 3 and 4-year-olds get 15 hours per week. Working parents can claim an additional 15 hours (total 30) if they meet income and work requirements. From 9 months old, eligible working parents can access 15 or 30 hours depending on the phase of rollout.

For 30-hour funding, yes. You must reconfirm your eligibility every 3 months through the Best Start In Life website. If you don't renew in time, you could lose your funded place. For 15-hour universal funding, you don't need to renew, but you should keep your details up to date.

Not all nurseries accept government funding, especially for younger children. Use Nuuri to search for nurseries that do accept funding for your child's age group. You can also ask your local council for a list of registered providers in your area.

Only Ofsted-registered childcare providers can offer government-funded hours. Not all nurseries are registered, and not all registered nurseries accept funding for every age group. Always check with the nursery before applying.

If you miss the deadline for a term, you won't be able to access funding until the next term starts (3-4 months later). You'll still need to pay full fees during this time. This is why applying early is so important.

Yes. Instead of using your full entitlement during term time, you can spread your hours across more weeks of the year. For example, if you get 30 hours, you could use 20 hours per week for more weeks instead of 30 hours per week during term time. Ask your nursery about their stretching policy.

No. Funded hours pay for childcare only. You'll usually still be charged for meals, snacks, nappies, wipes, and any special activities or trips. Always ask your nursery for a full breakdown of what's included and what costs extra.

If your income or work situation changes, you should update your details on the Best Start In Life website. This might affect your eligibility for 30-hour funding. It's important to keep your information current.

Yes, self-employed parents can apply for 30-hour funding if they meet the income and work requirements. You'll need to provide details of your self-employment income. Check the government's eligibility checker for the latest requirements.

Use the Government Best Start In Life Eligibility Checker on the GOV.UK website. It will ask you questions about your child's age, your work situation, and your income, and tell you what funding you might qualify for. You can also contact your local council's childcare team for advice.

Funded hours are for term time only. You'll need to pay for holiday childcare separately. Some nurseries offer holiday care at a different rate, so it's worth asking about their holiday policies.

If you don't use all your funded hours in a term, you usually can't carry them over to the next term. However, you can stretch your hours over the year to use them more flexibly. Talk to your nursery about the best way to use your entitlement.