If you have a 2 year old and receive some form of government support, you may get up to 15 hours of childcare a week. Some working parents can get this.
If you do not receive some form of government support but work, see 2 year old funding for working parents
How childcare funding can help you and your child
Funded childcare helps your child learn and get ready for school.
It also lets you return to work, education, or focus on other priorities.
When your child can start
If eligible, your child can begin their funded place from the term after they turn 2. Check the table below, which shows this.
Turns 2 years on or in between |
Eligible for funding from |
|---|---|
1 January to 31 March |
1 April |
1 April to 31 August |
1 September |
1 September to 31 December |
1 January |
You will receive 15 hours, even if your situation changes.
In the term after your child's third birthday, their 2 year old funding ends. Then, they will switch to the 3 and 4 year old funding. This is available to all 3 & 4 year olds.
See 15 hours childcare for all families on the Childcare Choices website
Funding stays at 15 hours until your child begins school. But, if you qualify for the working parent funding, you can get 30 hours.
See 30 hours childcare for eligible working families on the Childcare Choices website
The funding hours explained
Eligible parents can get up to 570 hours a year. This is usually taken as 15 hours a week for 38 weeks of the year.
The funding is flexible. Some providers offer the 'stretched entitlement'. This lets a child attend fewer hours each week but spread out over more weeks in the year. It includes some holidays.
The number of hours will not increase from September 2025.
Your childcare provider will explain how you can use your funded hours.
What is not covered
The funding does not include:
- food
- consumables such as nappies and cream
- extra activities such as trips
Your provider may charge for these, but you can choose to opt out.
Before your child starts, you need to sign a contract with your childcare provider. Ensure that any charges are clear and agreed upon beforehand.
Choosing childcare inside or outside the borough
Guidance differs for those living inside or outside Hammersmith and Fulham (H&F).
H&F residents
If you live in H&F, you can use an Ofsted registered nursery, preschool or childminder. Confirm with them if they accept 15 or 30 hours.
If you want a place in another borough, check their availability and the process. Some councils and providers may prioritise local families.
Non-H&F residents
If you are not a H&F resident but want a place here, check with the childcare provider for availability first. We need to verify your eligibility, even if your own council has already done so, because H&F will pay for the place.
Eligibility criteria for parents receiving some form of government support
Applications for parents receiving some form of government support are managed by the H&F early years team. Applications should only be made to us by H&F residents or those who would like a place in H&F.
If you receive any of the following benefits you may be eligible:
- Income Support
- Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA)
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
- Universal Credit, and your household income is £15,400 a year or less after tax, not including benefit payments
- tax credits, and your household income is £16,190 a year or less before tax
- the guaranteed element of Pension Credit
- the Working Tax Credit 4-week run on (the payment you get when you stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit)
Alternatively, if any of the following applies to your child:
- is looked after by a local authority
- has a statement of special education needs (SEN) or an education, health and care (EHC) plan
- receives Disability Living Allowance
- has left care under an adoption order, special guardianship order or a child arrangements order.
If your immigration status says you have 'no recourse to public funds', you may still get 15 hours for your 2 year old. You must live in England and your household income must be no more than:
- £34,500 for families within London with one child
- £38,600 for families within London with two or more children
You cannot have more than £16,000 in savings or investments.
Apply as a parent who receives some form of government support
Parents receiving government support must apply through the H&F parent portal. You can only apply once your child is 21 months old.
Apply for 2 year old funding through H&F if you receive government support
If you work and receive government support
If you work and receive government support, you may qualify for both:
- 2 year old funding for parents receiving government support
- 2 year old funding for working parents
If you are eligible for both schemes you will get separate codes. But you cannot use both codes to get more hours.
Use the 15 hour code for parents receiving government support. By doing this you can keep this funding even if your situation changes.
Until 31 August 2025, eligible parents can only get 15 hours of childcare and you should give your childcare provider the funding code for those receiving government support.
You will need to re-confirm your working parent code every 3 months when prompted by HMRC. If you stay eligible, you can get an extra 15 hours for your child from September 2025 without reapplying.
From 1 September 2025, eligible parents get 30 hours, you will need to give your childcare provider both codes, one for government support and the other for working parents.
Before your child starts their funded place
To secure your funded place follow the guidance below.
Ensure your code is valid
Before your child starts their funded place, ask your childcare provider to confirm your code is valid.
Sign the Parental Declaration Form
Your childcare provider will give you a Parental Declaration Form to sign. This allows them to get the funding from the council.
Please confirm your information is correct and that you understand the conditions, including:
- regular attendance is needed
- informing your childcare provider of any planned holidays and absences.
Your childcare provider will share this information with the council. The council will also check if your provider can get an Early Years Pupil Premium (EYPP) payment. This payment helps support your child.
See Get extra funding for your early years provider on GOV.UK
The amount of EYPP is £570 for the financial year 2025/26.
Working parents can save more on childcare costs
Working parents can use one of these schemes to pay for extra childcare hours or services. You can use this in addition to 15 or 30 funded hours.
- Tax-Free Childcare on GOV.UK
- Universal Credit childcare costs on GOV.UK (if you claim Universal Credit)
Students
Students can receive help with childcare costs. This support comes from the government, their school, college, university, or training provider.
See Help with childcare costs while you study
Help to identify what you can get
Fill out a short form on the Childcare Choices website. This will show which childcare schemes you can access now and in the future. You can also sign up for updates on how and when to apply for childcare costs support.
Find childcare that fits your needs
See our guide to Childcare options for under 5's.
It includes information on:
- the different types of childcare providers
- key points before securing childcare
- childcare and funding for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
Contact details
If you get government support and have questions about a new or current application you can contact us. Email our early years funding officer renee.daley@lbhf.gov.uk or our early years team email eyfservice@lbhf.gov.uk