9 Month Funding Working Parents Entitlement

From September 2024, eligible working parents of children aged 9 months will be able to claim 15 hours funded childcare over 38 weeks from the term after they are 9 months. Applications must be made through HMRC's Childcare Choices website. 

FEET Funding (Free Early Education for Two Year Olds)

FEET is the offer of up to 15 hours of free early education and childcare a week. If you are eligible for FEET funding your child will be able to get a free early education place from the start of the school term after their 2nd birthday.

If your family receives one of the following benefits your child may be eligible to claim FEET funding

• Income Support
• Income based Job Seekers Allowance
• Income Related Employment & Support Allowance
• Support under Part 6 of the Immigration & Asylum Act 1999
• The Guarantee element of State Pension Credit
• Child Tax Credit & have an annual income up to £16,190
• Working Tax Credit & have an annual income up to £16,190
• Working Tax Credit 'run-on'-the payment someone may receive for a further 4 weeks after they stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit.
• Child receives Disability Living Allowance
• Universal Credit and have an annual income of £15,400 or less
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• Automatically Funded Criteria
• If your child is in one of the groups listed below, they will be automatically eligible for FEET funding.
• Child is looked after by Surrey County Council
• Child has been adopted or has left care through special guardianship or a child arrangements order.
• Child has Statement of Special Educational Needs or an Education, Health and Care Plan.

2 Year Funding Working Parents Entitlement​​​​​​​

Working families who meet the eligibility criteria will be able to claim 15 hours of funded childcare over 38 weeks of the year from April 2024 in the term after your child turns 2.

Applications must be made through HMRC's Childcare Choices website. 

Free Early Education and Childcare for 3 and 4 Year Olds

In England all 3 and 4 year olds are entitled to up to 15 hours of free early education and childcare for up to 38 weeks a year. This is to give children opportunity to take part in planned learning activities, and help prepare them for school. This is a universal offer and is available to all children regardless of their family circumstances. Funding is available the term after your child is 3.

Since September 2017 the government have increased the number of funded hours for 3 and 4 year olds from 15 to 30 a week. However, this will only be made available to families where both parents are working (or the sole parent is working in a lone parent family) and each parent earns, n average, a weekly minimum equivalent to 16 hours at National Living wage and less than £100,000 per year

The extended 15 hours of funding the Government are introducing in September 2017 is a little misleading for parents. The 30 hours does not offer parents free childcare. It offers 30 hours of funded childcare. so if your child attends a setting for more than 30 hours it is possible you will incur a charge for the extra hours.

Applying for 30 Hours Childcare

Once you have applied for your extended funding you'll receive a 30 hours eligibility code, your unique 11-digit reference number. Without this code you won't be able to claim your 30 hours of childcare funding.

When you have the code we will need you to complete and sign a form giving us permission to confirm your eligibility and access the funding. To complete the form you will need  your National Insurance Number and your child's date of birth. 

Reconfirming Your Eligibility

Every 3 months you will need to confirm your eligibility. You will be reminded to do this 4 weeks before the deadline.

It is essential parents/carer's check their eligibility and obtain eligibility codes. You can apply and check eligibility codes at www.childcarechoices.gov.uk