
Tax-Free Childcare
Tax-Free Childcare is a UK government initiative designed to help working parents with the cost of childcare.
In England, the government offers two funded early education schemes providing 15 hours of funded childcare over 38 weeks of the year for eligible children:
This means your little one can enjoy a funded childcare placement with a government-approved provider — someone who’s registered with Ofsted and takes part in the scheme.
Bright Horizons is proud to be an approved childcare provider and we’re delighted to offer funded placements as part of this initiative.
Latest Updates
All eligible children aged from 9 months to school age will now be able to receive 30 hours a week of funded childcare from September 2025. You can find out more information on this on the government website Childcare Choices. Our funding policy is available online and for more information on current schemes please read below.
Your 2-year-old is eligible for 15 hours of funded childcare per week if you live in England and receive any of the following benefits:
They are also eligible if they:
Eligible children can start using their funded hours from the beginning of the term following their second birthday — either 1 January, 1 April, or 1 September.
All children aged three and four in England are eligible for 15 hours of funded childcare per week, available over 38 weeks. That’s 570 hours per year.
You can start using these hours from the beginning of the next term after your child turns three:
Please note: while the childcare hours are covered, additional costs like meals, nappies, and wipes are not included in the funding. Full details can be found in our nursery fee sheet.
All you need to do to receive these funded hours is contact your nursery, share proof of your child's age (their birth certificate) and fill out a declaration form. They will then apply on your behalf.
If your immigration status includes ‘no recourse to public funds’, you may still be eligible for 15 hours of funded childcare for your 2-year-old.
Eligibility is based on a number of factors, which can be found on the government website.
You may also be able to get 15 hours of funded childcare for your 3 or 4-year-old.
Whether you’re exploring nursery options or already part of our Bright Horizons community, our helpful funding guides are here to support you. Discover everything you need to know about funding your childcare — including government-funded hours, tax-free childcare, childcare vouchers, and key dates to keep in mind. We’ve made it easy to understand what support is available and how it can work for your family.
You might be entitled to more funding than you think, especially as your child grows with us!
Speak to your Nursery Manager today to find out more.
Book a personal tour with us today! We'll walk you through everything related to fees, funding, what’s included and more, answer all your questions, and help you find the best options for your family.
Tax-Free Childcare is a UK government initiative designed to help working parents with the cost of childcare.
Bright Horizons are pleased to offer 30 hours funded childcare for all eligible families.
If your child is 3 or 4 years old, then from August 2021 you will be able to access up to 1140 hours of funded Early Learning and Childcare a year.
If you joined either one of these schemes on or before 4 October 2018, you're still able to receive these vouchers and use them to support your childcare payments with us.