# When do funded hours start?

Funded hours start on 1 January, 1 April or 1 September: the first of those dates after your child reaches the qualifying age (9 months for working parents, 2 for eligible 2-year-olds, 3 for the universal hours). Working parents can apply from 23 weeks old and must have a code by the day before the term starts.

Page: https://toddly.co.uk/funded-hours-start-date (inputs are URL query parameters, so any result can be linked).

## Example: a child born 14 August 2026

**1 September 2027 working-parent hours start**

- Turns 9 months: 14 May 2027
- Next term start after that: 1 September 2027 (autumn term)
- Apply from (23 weeks old): 14 August 2026 + 161 days = 22 January 2027
- Deadline (day before term): 31 August 2027

- **Free Childcare for Working Parents**, 1 September 2027 (30 hours a week). Turns 9 months on 14 May 2027. Apply from 22 January 2027, by 31 August 2027.
- **15 hours for eligible 2-year-olds (Early Learning for 2 year olds)**, 1 September 2028 (15 hours a week). Turns 2 on 14 August 2028. Only for families on certain benefits or children with extra needs; apply through your council.
- **15 hours for all 3 and 4-year-olds**, 1 September 2029 (15 hours a week). Turns 3 on 14 August 2029. No application to HMRC; your nursery claims it from the council.
- **Reception (funded early years hours end)**, 1 September 2030. Children start reception in the September after they turn 4.

## Assumptions

- A qualifying date that falls on a term start (for example turning 9 months on 1 January) waits for the next term: hours start the term after.
- Some councils and nurseries let children start part-way through a term; ask yours. The dates here are the national rule.
- Children born on 31 August start reception a year earlier than children born on 1 September.

## Next steps

- [Check which schemes you qualify for](https://toddly.co.uk/funded-hours-checker?dob=2026-08-14)
- [Plan visits and registration](https://toddly.co.uk/when-to-apply-for-nursery?birth=2026-08-14)

## Frequently asked questions

### My baby turns 9 months on 1 September. When do the hours start?

On 1 January. Hours start the term after your child turns 9 months: anyone turning 9 months between 1 September and 31 December starts on 1 January.

### When should I apply for the 30 hours code?

From when your child is 23 weeks old, and by the day before the term you want it for: 31 December for January, 31 March for April, 31 August for September. Applying a few weeks early gives you time to pass the code to the nursery.

### Does my child get funding the day they turn 3?

No. The universal 15 hours start on the 1 January, 1 April or 1 September after the 3rd birthday.

### When do funded hours stop?

When your child starts in reception, normally the September after their 4th birthday.

## Sources

- When to apply and term start dates: https://www.gov.uk/free-childcare-if-working/when-to-apply, checked 11 November 2026
- 15 hours for 3 and 4-year-olds: https://www.gov.uk/help-with-childcare-costs/free-childcare-and-education-for-3-to-4-year-olds, checked 11 November 2026
- 15 hours for eligible 2-year-olds: https://www.gov.uk/help-with-childcare-costs/15-hours-free-childcare-early-learning-2-year-olds, checked 11 November 2026