Expansion of Early Years Entitlements

The government have announced an expansion to the existing early years entitlements starting in April 2024. The expansion is being rolled out in stages and will complete in September 2025 when eligible families will be able to access up to 30 hours per week of early education, from the term after their child turns 9 months old. This is called the 'Working Parent Entitlement'. 

Timeline of roll out

Eligibility

Eligibility is determined by HMRC via the Childcare Choices Service, based on the eligibility criteria. There is no 'universal' offer for children under 3 years of age. Information on all the early education entitlements is available on our Early Years Entitlement Explainer. 

Application process

Families apply through the governments Childcare Choices Service and will be issued with an 11 digit eligibility code that starts with 50.

Families who already have a Tax-Free Childcare account can apply for their eligibility code within their next reconfirmation window. Families should check their Tax Free Childcare account or contact HMRC for more information.

Information about the working parent entitlement and how to apply can be found on the Childcare Choices website.

Eligibility Code reconfirmation process

Families must reconfirm their eligibility for the Working Parent Entitlement every 3 months, through the Childcare Choices Service. Each eligibility code has an end date and reconfirmation must take place on or before that date, or the family may no longer be eligible to access the funding. 

2 Year Olds from April 2024

To access the working parent entitlement from 1 April 2024, families must have been issued with a valid eligibility code and their child must have reached their 2nd birthday on or before 31 March 2024.

The eligibility code should then be given to the childcare provider for validation. Families in receipt of Tax Free Childcare who have a reconfirmation window on or after 15 February 2024 will be sent a temporary code that can be used to confirm a funded place in summer term. This is to ensure all eligible families are issued a code in time for the scheme starting on 1 April.