Government funded hours
Government funding is available to help with the cost of nursery fees.
From the term following their third birthday, all pre-school age 3 and 4 year olds are eligible for 15 hours of free care per week, 38 weeks of the year. Some families may be entitled to up to 30 hours of free care per week, depending on personal circumstances.
From September 2025, working parents of children between 9 months and up to five years will be entitled to 30 hours' of childcare support/week.
Depending on your nursery provider, these hours can be used over 38 weeks of the year (during school term time) or up to 52 weeks if you use fewer than your total hours per week.
Please note that parents with no recourse to public funds may not be eligible for all types of funding. Please see the NRPF website for the latest updates.