2 year olds: 30 hours early education and childcare for working families

Working parents

For children aged 9 months to 4 years. 

Eligible working families can apply for 30 hours of childcare to use from the term after their child turns 9 months until they reach school age. 

If you live and work in England you may be entitled to 30 hours funded childcare support from the term after your child turns 9 months old, until they start school. 

You can usually get funded childcare for working parents if you (and your partner, if you have one) are:

• in work or starting a new job
• on sick leave or annual leave
• on shared parental, maternity, paternity or adoption leave

The amount of funded childcare you can get depends on:

• your child’s age and circumstances
• your income (and your partner’s income, if you have one)
• your immigration status

Last updated: 24/09/2025