Funded hours in England: a plain guide for 2026-27
Who gets 15 or 30 funded hours, how the money reaches your setting, and what you can and cannot charge for.
Next check of these facts: 15 December 2026
- Every three and four year old gets 15 funded hours a week, 38 weeks a year.
- Working parents can get up to 30 funded hours a week from nine months old until their child starts school.
- Your local authority pays you an hourly rate for each funded hour. Rates for 2027-28 are expected in December.
Who gets funded hours
| Age | Who | Hours a week |
|---|---|---|
| 9 months to 2 | Working parents | Up to 30 |
| 2 years | Working parents, or families getting some extra help | Up to 30, or 15 |
| 3 and 4 years | Every child | 15, or up to 30 for working parents |
The hours are a week over 38 weeks of the year. Many settings stretch them over more weeks, which means fewer hours a week.
Eligibility codes
Working parents apply on GOV.UK and get an eligibility code. They must reconfirm it every three months.
Check a code with your local authority before the child's funded place starts, and again each term.
How the money reaches you
Your local authority pays you an hourly rate for every funded hour you deliver. Each authority sets its own rate from the money the Department for Education gives it.
New rates for April usually follow the national announcement in late autumn or December.
What you can charge for
Funded hours must be free to parents. You can charge for meals, nappies or trips, but these charges must be voluntary: a parent who does not want to pay must still be able to take up the funded hours.
Set out your charges clearly so parents can see what is funded and what is not.
Questions
Is it 30 hours or 1140 hours?
Both. 30 hours a week for 38 weeks is 1140 hours a year. Some settings spread the hours over more weeks.
Does this apply in Scotland?
No. Scotland has its own scheme: 1140 hours a year of funded early learning and childcare for every three and four year old and some two year olds, whatever their parents do.
Does this apply in Scotland?
No. Scotland has its own scheme: 1140 hours a year of funded early learning and childcare for every three and four year old and some two year olds, whatever their parents do.
News for ScotlandLatest for England
The week in early years: 12 to 16 October 2026
What changed for nurseries and childminders in England and Scotland this week, from the official websites, and the dates coming up.
Over the border: This recap covers England and Scotland together.
Competition watchdog sends legal information requests to nurseries
The Competition and Markets Authority has asked a number of smaller childcare providers in England for information. If your setting is asked, you must reply.
Over the border: The market study covers England only, so settings in Scotland are not part of it.
Safety alert: only use baby sleeping bags with arm holes and no hood
A UK-wide Product Safety Alert tells childcare settings not to buy or use baby sleeping bags that lack arm holes or have a hood.
Most providers say Ofsted's new inspections were respectful
The first findings from independent research into Ofsted's renewed inspections in England, including early years, were published on 9 October 2026.
Over the border: In Scotland, settings are inspected by the Care Inspectorate and HM Inspectors of Education, not Ofsted.
Official sources
How this story was made. This story was written with help from AI from the official sources below, then checked and approved by the Hubba Training team before it went live.
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Open Government Licence.
Spotted a mistake, or named in a story and want to reply? Email info@hubbatraining.com and we will look at it the same working day.