30 funded childcare hours from 9 months: where the scheme stands
The September 2025 expansion is fully bedded in. Providers report continued pressure on places, with codes needing to be renewed every three months.
By Money Guide editorial team
Published:
Eligible working parents in England can now access up to 30 hours of funded childcare per week during term time for children aged 9 months to school age, following the staged expansion completed in September 2025.
Parents must apply for an 11-digit eligibility code through childcarechoices.gov.uk and renew it every three months. Failing to renew within the deadline can mean losing funded hours for a full term.
Funded hours do not cover meals, nappies, optional activities or wrap-around care, and providers commonly charge top-up fees for these. The amount paid by government per hour has risen, although providers continue to argue it does not cover the true cost of provision.
Tax-Free Childcare (£2,000 per child per year top-up) can be used alongside funded hours for additional childcare. Universal Credit's childcare element refunds up to 85% of childcare costs for low-income working parents.