The short answer: every 3 and 4-year-old in England can get 15 funded hours a week, eligible working families can get 30 hours a week for children aged 9 months to 4 years, and some 2-year-olds can get 15 hours through extra support. Funding starts the term after the relevant birthday, on 1 January, 1 April or 1 September. For a September 2027 start, a working-parent code must be in place by 31 August 2027.
Based on GOV.UK and council guidance checked on 26 October 2026. The government can change these schemes, so check the official pages again before you apply.
The three entitlements
Who gets what, in England
15 hours for every 3 and 4-year-old
All 3 and 4-year-olds in England can get 570 free hours a year, usually taken as 15 hours a week for 38 weeks. It starts the term after your child's third birthday and stops when they start Reception (or reach compulsory school age, if later).
30 hours for eligible working families
Free Childcare for Working Parents gives 30 hours a week for 38 weeks to children aged 9 months to 4 years. You (and your partner, if you have one) must be working or about to start work, each expect to earn at least the equivalent of 16 hours a week at the National Minimum or Living Wage, and neither of you can have an adjusted net income over £100,000.
15 hours for some 2-year-olds
A 2-year-old can get 15 hours a week for 38 weeks if the family gets extra support, for example Universal Credit with household income of £15,400 a year or less after tax (not counting benefits), or if the child has an EHC plan, gets Disability Living Allowance, is in care, or has left care under an adoption, special guardianship or child arrangements order. Families eligible for both schemes can reach 30 hours.
GOV.UK currently sets the minimum income for a parent aged 21 or over at £2,643.68 over the 3 months after you apply; the figure follows the minimum wage, so it can change. Providers may charge for optional extras such as meals, nappies, extra hours or trips, but you can still get the free hours if you do not pay for them.
Codes and reconfirmation
The step parents most often miss
For the working-parents scheme you apply online from when your child is 23 weeks old. If approved, you get an 11-digit code from HMRC to give to your nursery, and you must sign in every 3 months to confirm your details are up to date. Barnet Council's guidance is clear: have your code on or before 31 March, 31 August or 31 December to claim funding from 1 April, 1 September or 1 January.
The 2-year-old scheme for families getting extra support works differently: you apply through your local council, not HMRC. Barnet says eligible families receive a letter and do not need to reconfirm. The universal 15 hours for 3 and 4-year-olds need no code: you arrange them with your childcare provider.
When funding starts in 2027
The term after the birthday
Funding begins the term after the qualifying birthday: the third birthday for the universal hours, the second for the 2-year-old scheme, and 9 months old for working parents, who also face an application deadline.
| Qualifying birthday falls between | Funded hours can start | Working parents: apply by |
|---|---|---|
| 1 September to 31 December 2026 | 1 January 2027 | 31 December 2026 |
| 1 January to 31 March 2027 | 1 April 2027 | 31 March 2027 |
| 1 April to 31 August 2027 | 1 September 2027 | 31 August 2027 |
So a child who turns 3 (or 2, or 9 months) between 1 April and 31 August 2027 can start funded hours from 1 September 2027. If you are returning to work after leave, GOV.UK has a separate table based on your return date.
Enfield and Barnet
Which council you deal with
Vita et Pax is in Southgate, in the London Borough of Enfield, close to Barnet. The national rules above apply in both boroughs. Where a council is involved, mainly for the 2-year-old scheme, contact the early years team or Family Information Service of the council where you live; GOV.UK's find free early education service links to it.
How funding works at Vita et Pax
Plain figures, net of funding
- We accept government funding for eligible 2, 3 and 4-year-olds, and our admissions team will help you claim your full entitlement.
- Government-funded hours apply in term-time weeks only.
- Term-time fees are for 39 weeks of attendance, paid in 12 equal monthly instalments. Full-year (51-week) places are also available, with fees shown net of funding.
- Our fee tables show fees with funding already deducted, for 15 and 30 funded hours.
- The £120 enrolment fee applies only to places that include paid hours. Funded-only places have no enrolment or registration fee.
- There is no sibling discount on government-funded Nursery places. All nursery fees are VAT exempt.
Our published fees are effective from September 2026; for September 2027, ask the school office. For an indicative figure for your pattern of days and funded hours, use the nursery fee calculator or the fee tables on our Nursery page.
Work out your fee
Open the Nursery Fee CalculatorFrequently asked questions
My child turns 3 in June 2027. When do the funded hours start?
Do I have to reapply for 30 hours every term?
Can I spread funded hours across the whole year at Vita et Pax?
Is there an enrolment fee for a funded-only nursery place?
Thinking further ahead? Read our guides to Reception places for September 2027 and choosing a nursery in Southgate and Enfield.
Sources
All checked on 26 October 2026.
- GOV.UK: 15 hours free childcare for 3 and 4-year-olds
- GOV.UK: Free Childcare for Working Parents (what you'll get, eligibility, when to apply)
- GOV.UK: Free Childcare for Working Parents, check you're eligible
- GOV.UK: Free Childcare for Working Parents, when to apply
- GOV.UK: Sign in to confirm your details are up to date
- GOV.UK: Free childcare for 2-year-olds with extra support
- GOV.UK: Find free early education and childcare
- Barnet Council: Funded childcare and help paying for childcare
- Vita et Pax: Nursery fees (effective September 2026)
