When to apply for nursery

Calculator · England

Most parents start looking about a year before they need a place and register 9 to 12 months ahead; popular baby rooms fill earliest. Funding has fixed dates: apply for the working-parent code from 23 weeks old and before the term you need it, and the hours start on 1 January, 1 April or 1 September.

Timeline for a child born or due 15 April 2026, starting at 12 months

15 April 2026 · rule of thumb

Start shortlisting and visiting

Popular nurseries, especially baby rooms, can have waiting lists of a year or more. This is our rule of thumb, not a deadline.
15 July 2026 · rule of thumb

Register and pay any deposit

Ask how the waiting list works, whether the deposit is refundable and when you must confirm days. Our rule of thumb.
23 September 2026 · gov.uk rule

Apply for your working-parent childcare code

You can apply from 23 weeks old. You will get an 11-digit code to give the nursery.
31 March 2027 · gov.uk rule

Deadline for a code for the summer term

Have your code by this date to use funded hours in the term that starts on 1 April 2027. Applying a few weeks earlier leaves time to give the code to the nursery.
1 April 2027 · rule of thumb

Settling-in sessions

Most nurseries run short visits over one to two weeks before the first full day. Ask what they charge for them.
15 April 2027 · rule of thumb

First day at nursery

At 12 months old.
15 April 2027 · gov.uk rule

Working-parent funded hours start

Up to 30 hours a week in term time, if you are eligible. Reconfirm every 3 months. Your child starts part-way through a term: some councils only pay from the next term (1 September 2027), so ask the nursery.
1 September 2029 · gov.uk rule

Universal 15 hours start

Every 3-year-old gets 15 hours from the term after their 3rd birthday, whatever your income.
15 January 2030 · rule of thumb

Apply for a reception place

Through your council, usually by 15 January of the year your child starts school. Check your council's date.
1 September 2030 · gov.uk rule

Reception starts; early years funding ends

Funded hours stop when your child starts in reception.

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Next steps

Assumptions

Steps marked “rule” come from gov.uk; the rest are our rules of thumb from how nurseries run waiting lists.
Waiting lists vary a lot: some nurseries take registrations only a few months ahead, others are full a year out. Ask each one.

Questions parents ask

How early should I put my name down for nursery?

In busy areas, as early as you can once you know where you will live, often during pregnancy for a baby-room place. Elsewhere 6 to 9 months ahead is often enough. Ask each nursery how long its list is for your start date.

Do I have to pay to join a waiting list?

Some nurseries charge a registration fee and many take a deposit when they offer a place. Ask whether either is refundable and whether the deposit comes off your last bill.

Can I apply for funded hours before my baby is born?

No. You can apply for the working-parent code from when your child is 23 weeks old.

Sources

When to apply and term start dates checked 11 November 2026

By The Toddly editorial team · Rules checked 11 November 2026