If you receive a code from HMRC, please get this code checked with a childcare provider as soon as possible. This is to ensure your code is valid and you can take up your funded place. You will also need to renew your code every 3 months through HMRC.
If you work and have a 2 year old, you may get up to 15 hours of childcare a week. This will increase to 30 hours from September 2025.
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 |
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. You will get 30 hours if you qualify for the working parent funding. If not, you will get 15 hours which is available to all parents.
See 3 and 4 year old childcare funding.
The funding hours explained
Until 31 August 2025, 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.
From 1 September 2025, eligible parents can get up to 1,140 hours a year. This is usually taken as 30 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.
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 working parents
To be eligible for 15 hours for working parents, you and any partner you live with must each:
- work at least 16 hours a week at the National Minimum Wage
- earn less than £100,000 each year
You or your partner might still qualify if you are on maternity, paternity or adoption leave. You may also be eligible if you cannot work due to a disability or caring for someone.
See Check you're eligible for free childcare if you're working on GOV.UK
Apply as a working parent
HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) manages applications for working parents.
Apply to HMRC for an eligibility code. After that, give it to your chosen registered childcare provider. Ask them to check the code is valid when they receive it.
If your child gets a place in H&F, your childcare provider will inform the H&F early years team to fund the place.
Apply for 2 year old funding on GOV.UK if you are working
Foster carers
Foster carers have a separate application process for a code. Speak to your social worker for more details.
Application deadlines
HMRC sets application deadlines for each term. Apply at least 6 weeks before the new term to avoid any issues with codes.
If you work and receive government support
If you work and receive government support, you may qualify for both:
- 2 year old funding for working parents
- 2 year old funding for parents receiving government support
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 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 and you will need to give your childcare provider both codes: one for government support and the other for working parents.
Before your child begins 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 in H&F is up to £570 for the year 2025/26.
Save more on your 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
For questions about applying for 15 or 30 hours for working parents, eligibility, or HMRC codes, contact the Childcare service helpline on GOV.UK.
For the H&F early years team, email the funding officer renee.daley@lbhf.gov.uk or eyfservice@lbhf.gov.uk