Apply for 15 hours childcare for your 9 months to 2-year-old

The 15-hour scheme is usually taken as 15 hours of childcare or early education for 38 weeks of the year (570 hours in total). This lines up with school term times.

You do not have to use all 15 hours if you do not need them.

Some parents/carers use the 15 hours of funded childcare per week during term times. This equates to the 38 weeks entitlement so it will not cover the school holidays.

If you need more hours, or need them to last more than 38 weeks of the year, you could:

1. Choose to take fewer hours per week but over more weeks of the year. This is known as a ‘stretched’ offer and can be over 45, 47, or 51 weeks of the year. Check with your childcare provider to see if they offer this and when.
2. Pay for additional hours. Tax-free childcare can help you pay for these hours. For every £8 you pay in, the government will pay in £2.