Extended 30-hour entitlement

To make childcare more affordable for working parents, the government has increased free early education entitlement for three and four-year-olds. Parents can now claim from 15 up to 30 hours per week for 38 weeks of the year, if they are eligible.

This extended entitlement is equivalent to an additional 570 hours of childcare over the year.

To give parents and carers choice and flexibility, providers should offer the entitlement within the following parameters:

• No session to be longer than 10 hours
• No minimum session length
• No session before 6am or after 8pm
• A maximum of two childcare providers in a single day.

Apply for 30 hours' funded childcare for foster children

Already receiving your 30 hours' early education?

If you want this to continue, you must re-confirm your details and eligibility every three months. See the 'Re-confirm eligibility' section below for more details.