If you are an eligible working parent in England, you can apply for your childcare code online on your childcare account on gov.uk for:

• Up to 15 hours childcare per week for your child aged between 9 months old until they turn 3, over 38 weeks of the year.
• Up to 30 hours childcare per week for your 3 or 4 year old, over 38 weeks of the year.

The deadline to apply for a code is 31 August to use from 1 September.

After you get your childcare code, remember to:

1. Give your code to your childcare provider.

2. Reconfirm your details on your gov.uk childcare account every 3 months to continue to receive the government childcare support. You will get e-mail reminders and messages on your gov.uk childcare account when it is time for you to reconfirm.

For a step-by-step guide on how to apply for your code, read our latest Education Hub blog explaining the application process.

Click here to apply for your childcare code.

3 more things you should know about getting your code for September

If you have already applied and received your code before 1 June, you may need to reconfirm your details before you take up a place in September. Log in to your childcare account on gov.uk to check when you need to do so.

If you plan to return to work from maternity, paternity, shared parental leave, or adoption leave, or start a new job by the end of September, you can also apply for a childcare code before 31 August, just like everyone else.

If you already use 15 hours for your 2 year old and they turn 3, you can reconfirm as normal on your childcare account on gov.uk, and the code will be valid for the 30 hours offer the term after their 3rd birthday.