Childcare funding for 3 & 4 year olds

Childcare funding for 3 and 4 year olds

If you have a 3 or 4 year old, there is funding available to help with childcare costs; our Q&A below will provide you with details.

For any further details, pop into your local Tops or find out more by reading our blog post.

All 3 & 4 year olds are entitled to up to 15 funded hours per week, following the term after their third birthday.

Latest Updates

Starting in September 2025, significant improvements in childcare support will be introduced for families with 3-4 year olds. During this phase of expansion, working parents of children in this age group will be entitled to an impressive 30 hours of weekly childcare support. This enhanced program ensures that families with preschool-age children receive valuable assistance, offering greater flexibility and relief for parents managing work and family responsibilities.

Depending on your chosen provider, these hours can be utilized over 38 weeks during school term time or stretched across the entire 52 weeks of the year if you require fewer hours per week. These changes aim to alleviate the childcare burden on families and promote a healthier work-life balance for parents of 3-4 year olds.

Eligible children can also claim up to 30 funded hours. Find out if you are eligible by clicking here to view the criteria provided by the Department of Education.