Special edition of the Family Information Service newsletter - Thursday 8 January 2026.

 

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This special newsletter focuses on childcare funding support available to families — outlining what help you may be entitled to depending on your child’s age and family circumstances.

 

Universal entitlement for ages 3–4

✔ All children aged 3 to 4 automatically get 15 hours of funded childcare per week from the term after their third birthday until they start school (or reach compulsory school age).
✔ No application is needed — your early years provider will claim funding once you complete a declaration form with them.

 

Working parent entitlements for funded childcare

✔ Working parents of 3–4-year-olds may be eligible for an extra 15 hours (on top of the universal 15), totalling 30 hours funded childcare per week (38 weeks of the year), if certain earnings conditions are met.
✔ Working parents of children aged 9 months to 3 years may also qualify for 30 hours funded childcare per week if both parents (or the sole parent) meet similar earnings requirements.

 

Foster care entitlement

✔ Children in foster care can receive 30 hours of funded childcare weekly (from age 9 months), under similar conditions to those above — giving parity with other working families.

 

2Help funding for ages 2–3

✔ Some families receiving specific benefits may be eligible for 15 hours of funded childcare for children aged 2–3, if their circumstances match the scheme’s criteria.

 

Universal Credit childcare support

✔ Families on Universal Credit may be able to reclaim up to 85% of their childcare costs (up to set limits), as part of the Universal Credit childcare element.

 

Other funding & extra support

✔ Tax-Free Childcare: Up to £500 every 3 months per child (or £1,000 if the child has a disability) to help with childcare costs.
✔ Early Years Pupil Premium (EYPP): Extra funding providers may use to boost early education quality for eligible families.
✔ Disability Access Fund (DAF): Funding to support early years settings in meeting the needs of children with disabilities or special educational needs.

 

How to access or apply

✔ For most funded entitlements (30 hours, foster, 2Help), you need to apply online or through your childcare provider — and often must reconfirm eligibility every few months.
✔ Providers must be Ofsted-registered to claim funding on your behalf.