Childcare costs
If you are the parent or carer of a child aged nine-months to four-years-old, find out how much support you could get with childcare costs.
Funded childcare does not cover all the services that the Early Years Provider offers. For example, meals and snacks, consumables, additional services and hours are not included. Families should check with providers to see what extra things they charge for.
Funded Childcare Early Years Entitlement
The Government provides Early Years Funding Entitlement for children aged 9-months to 4-years-old. This is referred to as Early Years Entitlement (EYE) and consists of the following funding options for the different age ranges:
- Three- and four-year-olds: All children are eligible for 15 hours of Universal Entitlement Funding.
- Two-year-olds: Some children whose family are in receipt of additional Government Support can access 15 hours of Early Years Entitlement for their children. This is applied for and accessed via the B&NES council website.
- Nine-months to four-years-old: Working Families can access up to 30 hours of Early Years Entitlement (EYE) for their children. To apply for this funding families must visit Childcare Choices.
How the funding is organised
The 15 / 30 hours' Early Years Entitlement Funding is only paid for 38 weeks of the year, making a total of 570 / 1140 hours of funded childcare per year. Many childcare providers may choose to offer the annual number of funded care hours but spread over more than 38 weeks.
All childcare providers can choose to offer the full 30 hours, the universal 15 hours, or somewhere in between. The entitlement is for regular attendance, agreed between the parent and childcare provider. The childcare provider will receive the funding directly on behalf of the child.
Families must provide their chosen setting with a valid code in order for the setting to claim the funding on their behalf, unless the family are just wanting the 15 universal hours for their three- and four-year-olds, in which case a code is not required.
Check if your child is eligible
To check your eligibility for the 30 hours funded childcare, working families need to visit the Childcare Choices HMRC website. If eligible, parents will get an 11-digit eligibility code to give to your childcare provider. Families must reconfirm their eligibility every three months; a selection of automatic reminders will be sent to the families.
Two year old Universal Entitlement for families in receipt of additional Government support
In some circumstances, some two year old children may be eligible for funded childcare if they are from a family on low income. For more information, please visit the step by step guide on the Government's 'Free education and childcare for 2-year-olds' webpage or our funded childcare information pages.
Tax-free childcare
HMRC run a tax-free childcare scheme, which offers a 20% tax rebate on the portion of your income which you spend on childcare. Visit Childcare Choices for more information.
Childcare vouchers
This scheme only applies for people who registered before April 2018. It is known as a 'salary sacrifice' scheme, whereby you save tax and NI paid through your salary on childcare costs.
Find out more
Organisations offering advice and support
Expanded Childcare from September 2024
Expanded Childcare from September 2024 - translations
Childcare for children aged nine months to four years old
Gingerbread (Single Parents, equal families)
Maternity and paternity rights
Maternity pay entitlement calculator
Manage an existing benefit, payment or claim
Working Families (rights at work for parents and carers) Freephone: 0300 012 0312
B&NES Children's Centres
Our Children's Centres offer advice and support about various aspects of family life, such as the following:
- Health (with particular focus on ante-natal care, breast feeding, obesity, and healthy lifestyles)
- Early years development
- Childminding groups
- Messy play
- Developing positive parenting
- Early support groups (for children with additional needs or disabilities)
Find your nearest BathNES Children's Centre.
Citizens Advice Bath and North East Somerset
Call 0844 848 7919 or see the Citizens Advice website. Appointments may also be available at your local Children’s Centre.
Job Centre Plus
Call 0845 604 3719 or visit Somerset Hall, Somerset Street, Bath, BA1 1TS. Appointments may be available at local some Children’s Centres for people who are getting Income Support.
Last updated: 19 June 2025