➭ When can I apply for the Childcare Offer?
You can apply the term your child turns three for funding to start the following term. Here are the dates for when applications open and eligible start dates for children:
You can apply the term your child turns three for funding to start the following term. Here are the dates for when applications open and eligible start dates for children:
Child’s Date of Birth
01/09/2022 – 31/12/2022
01/01/2023 – 31/03/2023
01/04/2023 – 31/08/2023
01/09/2023 – 31/12/2023
Applications Open
22nd of October 2025
28th of January 2026
19th of June 2026
21st of October 2026
Earliest Start Date
05/01/2026 – Start of Spring Term
13/04/2026 – Start of Summer Term
02/09/2026 – Start of Autumn Term
04/01/2027 – Start of Spring Term
If you choose to access childcare whilst you are waiting for your application to be approved this will be at your own cost. Childcare Offer funding will not be backdated to pay for any childcare used before your application was approved.
Funding will start once your application has been approved and you have set-up a childcare agreement with your provider and this agreement has been accepted.
