Free Childcare Funding

Spring Budget 2023 Announcement

The Government has announced they are helping parents with childcare so they can return to work more easily via a range of new measures.Working parents in England will be able to access 30 hours of funded childcare per week, for 38 weeks of the year, from when their child is 9 months old to when they start school.

This is being rolled out in stages:

From April 2024

All working parents of 2-year-olds can access 15 hours per week.

From September 2024

All working parents of children aged 9 months up to 3 years old can access 15 hours per week.

From September 2025

All working parents of children aged 9 months up to 3 years old can access 30 hours funded childcare per week.

Deadlines & Applications

If your child turns three during Spring and will be entitled to funding for the first time from April, the deadline to make your application for a 30 Hour Code is 31st March.

Surrey County Council Funding

The links below direct you to Surrey County Council’s family information service. Clicking the buttons will enable you to read snippets of information regarding FEET Funding and other potential entitlements.

Universal 3 & 4 Year Olds

Information regarding the universal 15 hours available to all children.

Find out more

FEET Funding (2 Year Olds)

Check eligibility for Free Early Education for Two year olds (FEET).

Find out more

30 Hours Funding

For working parents meeting specific income criteria.

Find out more

Universal Entitlement

In England all three and four year olds are entitled to up to 15 hours of funded early education and childcare a week for up to 38 weeks a year. This is to give children the opportunity to take part in planned learning activities, and help prepare them for school through the early learning goals set out in the Early Years Foundation Stage. This is a universal offer and is available to all children regardless of their family circumstances.

Last updated: December, 2025