Tax-Free Childcare
Tax-Free Childcare is a UK government initiative designed to help working parents with the cost of childcare.
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What is 30 Hours Funded Childcare?
Bright Horizons is proud to offer 30 hours of funded childcare for eligible families.
All eligible children from 9 months old in England are entitled to 30 hours of government-funded early education each week across 38 weeks - that’s a total of 1,140 hours per year! For our current families, these additional funded hours may allow you to increase your child’s attendance. Please speak with your nursery team to explore your options.
Eligibility
Parents (and partners, where applicable) must be working or intending to work, earning at least the equivalent of 16 hours at National Minimum or Living Wage over the next three months.
If newly self-employed, parents are exempt from meeting the income criteria for the first 12 months.
From the term after children turn 9 months old, until school age, they may be eligible for 30 hours of government funded-hours per week, effective from September 2025. You can apply today.
Available to working families in England only.
If the applying parent is a non-EEA national, they must have recourse to public funds to qualify.
For more information about eligibility criteria, please visit the Best Start in Life website or download the Department for Education eligibility document.
When to Apply for Your Childcare Funding Code
You can apply for your funding code from the term before your child turns 9 months old, even if they won’t be starting nursery right away.
If your child is already over 9 months, you can still apply at any time - your funding will begin from the start of the next term after you receive your code.
To ensure funding starts when your child joins us, we recommend applying at least the term before their intended start date.
Recommended time to apply for eligibility code:
Last date to apply for eligibility code:
15th October to 30th November
by 31st December to be funded from 1st January
15th January to 28th February
by 31st March to be funded from 1st April
15th June to 31st July
by 31st August to be funded from 1st September
Helping Your Funded Hours Go Further
Bright Horizons offers year-round childcare on a sessional basis. We do not provide hourly care.
Funded childcare is offered as follows:
- Parents can claim up to 10 funded hours per day.
- Sessions must be booked as full day.
- Funded hours are stretched across 50 weeks.
- Full fees apply during any unfunded weeks.
- Charges may apply for meals and snacks not covered by funding, as listed on the fee sheet.
- Parents are responsible for all fees outside of the funded hours, per the fee sheet.
How to Apply
To apply for 30 hours of free childcare in the UK, you need to check your eligibility, create a childcare account on the GOV.UK website, and submit your application online. For more information, check the Best Start in Life website.
Still have questions?
Come and explore our nursery. We’ll guide you through everything, from fees and funding to what’s included, and answer all your questions to help you find the best option for your family.
Are you a current Bright Horizons parent?
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.
Childcare Funding Webinar
Figuring out childcare funding can feel a bit like tackling a jigsaw puzzle - don’t worry, our webinar on demand can help you put all the pieces together.
Download our guides
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.
Funding Policy
For our latest funding policy, please click here to find out more
Find your nearest Bright Horizons nursery
Come and discuss your childcare funding options with us!
Other funding options...
Find Out More
15 Hours Funded
In England, there are two government funded 15 hours free early education schemes that offer childcare for children aged two, three and four.
1140 Hours Funding in Scotland
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.
Childcare Vouchers
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.
