Free childcare for 3 and 4 year olds

15 hours universal entitlement

All 3 and 4 year old children living in West Berkshire are entitled to 570 hours of free childcare per year, from the start of term following their third birthday. This is usually taken as 15 hours a week over 38 weeks. Some providers will allow you to stretch the hours over 52 weeks, using fewer hours per week.
 

30 hours extended entitlement

3 and 4 year olds of eligible working parents and carers are entitled to a further 15 hours per week (an additional 570 hours per year).

You can't get 30 hours free childcare if either you, or your partner, each individually expect to earn £100,000 or more.

To keep your 30 hours free childcare place, you need to check your details are up to date every three months. Sign in to your account to renew your 30 hour childcare code.

You can apply for 30 hours free childcare online.
 

Am I eligible?

You, and any partner, must each earn on average at least £125 per week. This is equal to 16 hours at the National Minimum or Living Wage for those aged 25 plus.

If you, or your partner, are on maternity, paternity or adoption leave, or you're unable to work because you are disabled or have caring responsibilities, you could still be eligible.
 

What isn't covered?

The 15 hours universal and 30 hours extended childcare offer is not intended to cover the cost of meals, other consumables (such as nappies or sun cream), additional hours or additional activities (such as trips). Providers may charge an extra fee for these additions. If you choose to pay for these, it is an arrangement between you and the childcare provider. However, you must not be required to pay any fee as a condition of taking up a 15 or 30 hours place, and must be offered alternative options. 

Tax free childcare is also offered to support families with the cost of childcare. You can find out more about these schemes on the Childcare Choices website.
 

How does it work?

West Berkshire Council pays participating providers for the childcare you use - just get in touch with the providers of your choice to make arrangements.

Parents should never end up with any invoices or bills for accessing these services as long as they're within what we've agreed to pay for. 

Some rules apply to claiming free childcare hours:

• you can only share your free hours between a maximum of two different sites per day
• there is no minimum session length, but it must not be longer than 10 hours
• free hours can't be taken before 6am or after 8pm
• sessions can take place on any day of the week, including Saturday and Sunday

Please note: funding cannot be claimed for 4 year olds that are attending school in the September following their fourth birthday.
 

Eligibility Dates

Children become eligible for funding following their third birthday, on the dates set out below:

• If your child is born between 1st April to 31st August, they are eligible from 1st September (Autumn Term), following their third birthday
   
• If your child is born between 1st September to 31st December, they are eligible from 1st January (Spring Term), following their third birthday
   
• If your child is born between 1st January to 31st March, they are eligible from 1st April (Summer Term), following their third birthday

If you would like our help in finding an Early Years Provider for your child, please visit our West Berkshire Directory, or contact us.
 

​​Extra funding for your childcare provider

Depending on your circumstances, your early years provider could be eligible for extra funding to help support your child. Make sure your childcare provider doesn't miss out.

You can find information about childcare costs and Universal Credit on the GOV.UK website.