Access codes for 15 hours of childcare per week for two-year-olds from April

From 2nd January, eligible working parents can apply for 15 hours childcare for their two-year-old. Parents have until 31st March to apply for a code, with the best timing being mid-January to the end of February in case they need to provide further information to support their application. 

To apply for a childcare code each parent needs to be working and earning the equivalent of 16 hours a week at national minimum/living wage and under £100,000 adjusted net income per year. This means that each parent needs to earn from just over £8,600 per year to be eligible for 15 hours a week of childcare during term time.

There is more information on the childcare support available to parents on the Childcare Choices website, where they can explore the early education entitlements and other government help with childcare costs.

• For working families, including the self-employed, in the UK 
• Earning under £100,00 and an average of £167 per week
• Who are not recieving Tax Credits, Universal Credit or childcare vouchers
• With children aged 0-11 (or 0-16 if disabled)
• For every £8 you pay into an online account, the Government will add an extra £2, upto £2,000 per child per year

The financial support that is available to parents to help with the cost of childcare is increasing. By September 2025, working parents with children aged 9 months old to school AGE will be eligible for 30 hours childcare support.

Please visit www.childcarechoices.gov.uk to check your eligibility.