Funded childcare
Funded childcare for low-income families with 2-year-olds
You may be able to get 15 hours of funded childcare or early education for 38 weeks. Or a total of 570 hours per year, that you can use flexibly with one or more childcare provider. Some providers will allow you to 'stretch' the hours over 52 weeks, using fewer hours per week.
This is for families with 2-year-old children who are on a low-income, receiving some forms of support, or non-EEA citizens who cannot claim benefits and is applied for via the Local Authority.
To be able to take up 15 hours of free childcare for your 2-year-old you, or your child, must meet the eligibility criteria.
Find out more about the eligibility criteria for funded childcare for 2-year-olds.
Funded childcare for working families with children 9-months to 3-years-old.
If you're a working parent and your child is 9 months and above, you might be able to receive 15 hours of funded childcare a week. Working parents includes employed, self-employed and workers on a zero-hour contract. The 15 hours are available for 38 weeks or a total of 570 hours per year, that you can use flexibly with one or more childcare provider. Some providers will allow you to 'stretch' the hours over 52 weeks, using fewer hours per week.
This is applied for via HMRC through the Government Gateway. To take up the 15 hours of funded childcare families need to meet the eligibility criteria.
Find out more about the eligibility criteria for funded childcare for working parents.
15 hours funded childcare for all 3 and 4-year-olds
Fifteen hours of funded childcare is available for all families in Derbyshire with 3 and 4-year-old children.
You can get 15 hours of funded childcare for 38 weeks. Or a total of 570 hours per year, that you can use flexibly with one or more childcare provider.
Some providers will allow you to 'stretch' the hours over 52 weeks, using fewer hours per week.
Find out more about funded childcare for 3 and 4-year-olds.
30 hours funded childcare for eligible 3 and 4-year-olds
This is for working families with 3 and 4-year-old children.
You can receive 30 hours of funded childcare for 38 weeks. Or a total of 1,140 hours per year, that you can use flexibly with one or more childcare provider.
Some providers will allow you to 'stretch' the hours over 52 weeks, using fewer hours per week.
Find out more about 30 hours funded childcare.
Expansion to early years funding
You can find more details on the expansion to the early years funding from April 2024.
Additional help towards childcare costs
Tax-free childcare (age 0 to 11)
Tax-free childcare is for working families, including the self-employed, in the UK, who:
- expect to earn on average at least the equivalent of 16 hours per week at the National Minimum or Living Wage over the next 3 months
- have adjusted net income not exceeding £100,000 a year
- aren't receiving Tax Credits, Universal Credit, or childcare vouchers
- have children aged 0 to 11 (or 0 to 16 if disabled)
For every £8 you pay into an online account, the government will add an extra £2, up to £2,000 per child per year.
It can be used to pay for registered providers, including breakfast, after-school, and holiday clubs.
It can be used alongside the 15 and 30 funded hours for any additional hours needed.
Find out more about tax-free childcare.
Universal Credit (0 to 16)
For working families claiming Universal Credit with children under 17 who aren't receiving Tax-Free Childcare.
You can claim back up to 85% of your eligible childcare costs.
It can be used alongside the funded hours for 2, 3 and 4-year-olds for any additional hours needed.
Find out more about Universal Credit and childcare.
Support while you study
You may be able to get help with childcare while you study. Schemes include:
- Care to Learn - for learners under 20 who are in school or sixth form
- Learner Support - for learners over 20 who are accessing further education
- Childcare Grant - for learners who are in full-time higher education
Find out more about help with childcare while you study.
Check which scheme you would qualify for
If you're not sure which scheme would be right for you, you can check what help you could get with childcare costs.
You can also use Childcare Choices to find out more about the schemes available.
Contact the Families Information Service (FIS)
If you have any questions about the different childcare offers and your eligibility, please get in touch with the families information service: