The application process above is managed by HMRC. Their Childcare Choices website also offers a comparison guide for all the ways you can reduce childcare costs. The HMRC Childcare Choices helpline number is 0300 123 4097.

Once you have confirmed your eligibility with HMRC, you can start claiming from the beginning of the next funding period, ie 1 April, 1 September or 1 January.
The deadline for receiving your HMRC Code is the last day of the month, before the next funding period starts. For example to access extended entitlement from 1 January the code you receive from HMRC must be dated on, or before, 31 December. If you apply for and are eligible but are not issued with an HMRC Code by 31 December, the extended funding entitlement will be available from the following funding period 1 April.
If you are eligible you'll get an 11 digit eligibility code. You will need to keep this safe, as you will need to provide this to your childcare provider to access your place along with your child's date of birth and your national insurance number.
Every three months, you'll need to reconfirm that you're still eligible for the extended entitlement. HMRC will send a reminder four weeks before the deadline. You don't need to update your provider every time you reconfirm, however please notify your provider if you are no longer eligible.

You can also create an optional account on our Citizen Portal (Cambridgeshire County Council) to help manage your funding requests and view your funding period, see ‘Citizen Portal’ FAQ below.

When your child turns 2	When you can get 15 hours funding from	Recommended time to apply
1 April to 31 August 2023	term starting on or after 1 April 2024	January to March 2024
1 September to 31 December 2023	term starting on or after 1 April 2024	January to March 2024
1 January to 31 March 2024	term starting on or after 1 April 2024	January to March 2024
1 April to 31 August 2024	term starting on or after 1 September 2024	June to August 2024

Grace period

The grace period enables parents to retain their childcare place for a short period if they become ineligible for 30 hours following the reconfirmation process. This applies to the 15 hours extended entitlement for 3 year olds.

Date parent receives ineligible decision	Grace period end date
1 January - 10 February	31 March
11 February - 31 March	31 August
1 April - 26 May	31 August
27 May - 31 August	31 December
22 October - 31 December	31 March

Children aged 9 months to 2 years accessing the Working Parent Entitlements but who fall out of eligibility, will mean parents will have to pay for their childcare. However, there may be other support for childcare costs at Childcare choices.

Choosing a childcare provider

You will need to choose one or more eligible childcare providers that have the capacity to offer you a childcare place/s for the hours you need. Visit our Childcare Information page where you can search for local provision and look at the types of childcare available. You can find local childcare providers in the Childcare Directory.

Additional charges may apply for certain services at specific childcare providers, and not all entitlements may be available at all times of day. Please check with providers for any restrictions or additional charges.

Frequently asked questions

Learn Together

Information on the Cambridgeshire County Council website