Apply for OR reconfirm your 30 hours eligibility code to receive 30 hours free childcare.
30 Hours Free Childcare and Tax-Free Childcare
- Have you applied or renewed your code?
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Apply now
- Already registered? Reconfirm your eligibility
Have you applied or are you preparing to renew your code?
You may be able to get up to 30 hours free childcare if your child is 3 to 4 years old.
Your eligibility depends on:
- if you are working
- how much you earn
- your child’s circumstances
- your nationality
You can get 30 hours free childcare at the same time as claiming Universal Credit, tax credits or Tax-Free Childcare. Parents can get up to £2,000 per child, per year, towards their childcare costs or up to £4,000 for a child with a disability.
If you get Tax-Free Childcare, the government will pay £2 for every £8 you pay your childcare provider. This is paid via an online childcare account that you set up for your child. You can get Tax-Free Childcare at the same time as 30 hours free childcare if you’re eligible for both.
Watch the Department for Education's video - How to apply for 30 hours childcare and Tax-Free Childcare:
Note for iPhone users and Youtube. There is a known bug with iOS and Youtube, Two buttons are read before the player but provide no functionality. We advise that you skip these to access the content.
For more information on how to apply for 30 hours Free Childcare and Tax-Free Childcare visit HMRC's Childcare Choices website (external link).
You can also apply for 30 hours free childcare as a Foster Carer.
Important: once registered for 30 hours and/or Tax-Free Childcare, you will need to reconfirm your eligibility via your HMRC account every 3 months.
Frequently asked questions
Would I qualify?
- Please see How Parents can apply or sign in to their Childcare Service account (PDF, 283KB)
- See the Tax-Free Childcare - Myth Busting and Information Slides for Parents (PDF, 429KB)
- Use the Childcare Calculator to check what help you could get with childcare costs (external link)
- See the 30 Hours Eligibility - February 2017 (PDF, 156KB) for full details.
- Foster Carer working outside of your fostering role? See our 30 hours free childcare and foster carers page
For more information about 30 hours free childcare, please view the Frequently Asked Questions (PDF, 166KB) published by the Department for Education.
When can my child take up their 30 hours?
If your child is eligible for 30 hours free childcare they can start the next available term after their third birthday - see the table below:
| If your child turns 3 between: | Your child can get 30 hours from: | If you have not already done so, register online (external link) and submit your 30 hour eligibility code to your childcare provider by: |
|---|---|---|
| 1 April to 31 August | 1 September (autumn term) | 15 August |
| 1 September to 31 December | 1 January (spring term) | 15 December |
| 1 January to 31 March | 1 April (summer term) | 15 March |
I already have a 30 hours free childcare and Tax-Free childcare account. Will I need to access it again?
Yes, you will need to sign in to your account to check for messages from HMRC. You will also need to reconfirm your eligibility status every 3 months so you can update your childcare provider and continue receiving your free childcare.
Which providers are offering 30 hours?
Our easy search helps you find Haringey’s free childcare providers. You can also choose the area and type of provider you are looking for.
Important: Please contact your preferred provider as soon as possible to confirm and secure your place.
Which providers are offering Tax-Free Childcare?
Your childcare provider must be signed up to the scheme before you can pay them and benefit from Tax-Free Childcare. Check direct with your provider to see if they’re signed up.
Apply now
Apply here for free 30 hours / Tax-Free Childcare (external link)
To receive Tax-Free Childcare, your child must be 11 or under and usually live with you. They stop being eligible on 1 September after their 11th birthday.
Adopted children are eligible, but foster children are not.
If your child is disabled you may get up to £4,000 a year until they’re 17. They’re eligible for this if they:
- get Disability Living Allowance, Personal Independence Payment or Armed Forces Independence Payment
- are certified as blind or severely sight-impaired (external link)
View the Tax-Free Childcare Eligibility (external link)
For more information on how to apply for 30 hours free childcare and Tax-Free Childcare please visit HMRC's Childcare Choices website (external link).
Already registered? Reconfirm your eligibility
Reconfirming your 30 hours / Tax Free Childcare code (external link)
You will need to reconfirm your eligibility details via your HMRC account for (Tax-Free Childcare) or your eligibility code for (30 hours free childcare) every 3 months in order to continue to receive your entitlements. You will receive reminder notifications from HMRC just before renewal dates but it is important that you regularly check your HMRC account for details.
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