Government Funded Childcare
Your complete guide to free childcare hours - who qualifies, when funding starts, and how to apply.
Funded Childcare at a Glance
There are three main types of government-funded childcare you may be eligible for.
30 Hours Expanded Entitlement
From 9 months old
For working parents. Requires an HMRC eligibility code. Up to 30 hours per week of free childcare.
Universal 15 Hours
3-4 year olds
Available to ALL children. No eligibility check required. 15 hours per week of free childcare.
15 Hours for 2-Year-Olds
Eligible 2-year-olds
Means-tested / benefits-based eligibility. 15 hours per week for disadvantaged families.
No Additional Fees on Funded Hours
At 1st Safari, we never charge top-up fees, consumable charges, or hidden extras on funded sessions. Meals and activities are always included.
Funding Types in Detail
Everything you need to know about each type of funded childcare.
30 Hours for Working Parents
From 9 months to school age (Expanded Entitlement)
Who qualifies?
- ✓Both parents must be working (or one working parent in a single-parent household)
- ✓Each parent earns at least the equivalent of 16 hours at National Minimum Wage per week
- ✓Neither parent earns more than £100,000 per year
- ✓One parent can be non-working if they receive disability benefits or are a carer
Key Details
- Hours: Up to 30 per week (38 weeks/year, or stretched across more weeks)
- Age range: From 9 months to school age
- HMRC code: Required - apply at childcarechoices.gov.uk
- Reconfirmation: Every 3 months via your HMRC account
Universal 15 Hours for All 3-4 Year Olds
No eligibility criteria beyond age
Who qualifies?
- ✓Every child qualifies - no work or income requirements
- ✓Available from the term after your child turns 3
- ✓Continues until your child starts reception
Key Details
- Hours: 15 per week (38 weeks/year, or stretched)
- Age range: From 3 years old until school age
- HMRC code: Not required
- How to claim: Simply let your nursery know
15 Hours for Disadvantaged 2-Year-Olds
Benefits-based eligibility
Who qualifies?
- ✓Families receiving Income Support, income-based JSA, or income-related ESA
- ✓Universal Credit with annual household income of £15,400 or less (after tax)
- ✓Families receiving the guaranteed element of Pension Credit
- ✓Children with an Education, Health and Care (EHC) plan or receiving DLA
- ✓Looked-after children or children who have left care
Key Details
- Hours: 15 per week (38 weeks/year, or stretched)
- Age range: From 2 years old
- HMRC code: Not required
- How to claim: Your local authority checks eligibility
When Does Funding Start?
This is the most common question we hear from parents. Here's exactly how it works.
The Term-After-Birthday Rule
Your child becomes eligible for funded hours from the term after they reach the qualifying age. This means there can be a gap between your child's birthday and when funding actually begins.
Term Start Dates
| Birthday Falls Between | Funding Starts From |
|---|---|
| 1 April – 31 August | September(Autumn term) |
| 1 September – 31 December | January(Spring term) |
| 1 January – 31 March | April(Summer term) |
Real Examples
Mia turns 9 months on 10 February
Her birthday falls between 1 January and 31 March.
Funding starts: April (Summer term)
Oliver turns 3 on 15 May
His birthday falls between 1 April and 31 August.
Funding starts: September (Autumn term)
Amara turns 2 on 20 October
Her birthday falls between 1 September and 31 December.
Funding starts: January (Spring term)
How to Apply for Funded Hours
Follow these steps to get your child's funded hours set up.
Check Your Eligibility
Visit the Childcare Choices website to check what funded hours you're entitled to. For 30 hours and the expanded entitlement for under-3s, both parents usually need to be working.
Get Your HMRC Eligibility Code
If you're applying for 30 hours or the expanded entitlement (9 months+), you'll receive an 11-digit eligibility code from HMRC. Universal 15 hours (3-4 year olds) and 2-year-old funding do not require a code.
Share Your Code with Your Nursery Manager
Give your eligibility code to your nursery manager so we can validate it and set up your funded sessions.
Sign Your Digital Funding Agreement
Complete your funding agreement online through our paperless portal. This must be signed before funded hours can start.
Funded Hours Begin!
Your child's funded sessions start from the eligible term. We take care of claiming the funding from the local authority.
Childcare Choices
The official government website for checking your childcare eligibility and applying for your HMRC code.
Digital Funding Agreements
All our funding agreements are now fully digital. No printing, no scanning - just a quick online signature from any device.
- ✓Sign from any phone, tablet, or computer
- ✓Reminders sent each term via email
- ✓Must be completed before funded hours start
- ✓Secure and GDPR compliant
How it works
We send you a link
You'll receive an email with your personal agreement link at the start of each term.
Review your details
Check your child's details, funded hours, and session times are correct.
Sign digitally
Add your digital signature and submit. Done in under 2 minutes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about nursery funding and eligibility.
Do I need to reconfirm my HMRC eligibility code?
Yes, you must reconfirm your eligibility code every 3 months through your HMRC childcare account. If you don't reconfirm on time, you'll receive a grace period but could lose your funded hours.
What if I lose my eligibility for 30 hours?
You'll enter a grace period which lasts until the end of the term following the term in which you lost eligibility. After that, your child would still be entitled to the universal 15 hours if they are aged 3 or 4.
Can I split funded hours between two childcare providers?
Yes, you can split your funded hours between up to two providers. Let both providers know so they can claim the correct number of hours. The total cannot exceed your entitlement.
Are there additional charges on funded hours at 1st Safari?
No. At 1st Safari, we do not charge any additional fees on funded hours. Meals, snacks, and all activities are included at no extra cost during funded sessions.
When do I sign my funding agreement?
You must sign a digital funding agreement before funded hours can begin each term. We send reminders via email each term. Visit funding.1stsafari.com to sign your agreement.
What happens if my child starts nursery mid-term?
If your child starts mid-term, funded hours will be calculated on a pro-rata basis for the remainder of that term. Full funding begins from the following term.
Questions About Funding?
Our team is here to help you understand your entitlements and get set up with funded hours.