3 and 4 Year Old - Working Family Funding
How does it work?
Some 3 and 4 year olds of working families qualify for an extended funding option, providing 570 hours funding in addition to the 3 and 4 year old universal entitlement (570 hours). This results in a total of 1,140 hours, which equates to 30 hours funding over the school year (38 weeks). However, the funding offers complete flexibility, allowing you to access the 1,140 hours over anything from 38 to 52 weeks. Different providers offer different options on how funded hours are distributed throughout the year.
Funding can be claimed from the term after the child turns 3 years old.
Are you eligible?
To determine if you are eligible for the working family funding, consider the criteria. Over the next 3 months you and your partner (if you have one) must each expect to earn at least National Minimum Wage or Living Wage for 16 hours a week, on average.
You can earn up to £100,000 adjusted net income per year and be eligible. If you or your partner have an expected adjusted net income over £100,000 in the current tax year, you will not be eligible.
To be eligible for free childcare, you (and your partner if you have one and they live with you) must have a National Insurance number.
The person who applies must also have at least one of the following:
- British or Irish citizenship.
- settled or pre-settled status, or you have applied and you’re waiting for a decision.
- permission to access public funds - your UK residence card will tell you if you cannot do this.
If eligible, you will be given an 11 digit eligibility code beginning with 50.
For more information and full criteria please go to the Childcare Choices website.
When to apply for 30 hours
| When your child turns 3 | When to apply for working family funding | When your child can start using working family funding |
| Between 1 January and 31 March | Between 1 January and 31 March | 1 April (Summer term) |
| Between 1 April and 31 August | Between 1 April and 31 August | 1 September (Autumn term) |
| Between 1 September and 31 December | Between 1 September and 31 December | 1 January (Spring term) |
Important to know
You have the freedom to use your child's 30 hours with up to 3 childcare providers (with a maximum of 2 providers on the same day). This enables you to mix and match providers based on your preferences, ensuring the best fit for your family's needs.
Keep in mind that the eligibility codes will need to be reconfirmed every 3 months. Stay informed about any renewal requirements to continue receiving support. You may also fall in and out of eligibility depending on if your working status changes. This means you may lose the funded hours.
Please note: If a change of circumstance causes a family to lose their 3 and 4 Year old working family funding eligibility, children still remain eligible for the 15 hours of universal funding until they reach school Reception age.
How to apply
For working family funding, please apply via the gov.uk website using the apply now button. It shouldn't take long to apply. You may find out if you are eligible straight away, but it can take up to 7 days. Once your application has been approved, you will get an 11 digit eligibility code for funded childcare to give to your childcare provider.