Childcare can be fun for your child and they’ll learn a lot too. There are lots of benefits for both you and your child, including access to different play and learning opportunities; support for their social and emotional development including the playing with other children and getting ready for school.
Childcare can be delivered by a range of providers, from nurseries, preschools, childminders. If you are looking for a childcare place you can search Kent County Council’s online directory.
Children’s centres can also support families looking for childcare as well as support you and your child during that transition to childcare. Kent.gov provides useful information on what to look for and ask when choosing childcare as well as free early education and childcare entitlements.
The government provides different levels of funding for childcare to support you and your family and you may want to start investigating what you are entitled to. Some two-year olds can get up to 15 hours of free childcare per week for 38 weeks of the year. Eligibility criteria includes receipt of benefits such as Universal Credit, if a child is looked after by a local authority, has an Education, Health and Care Plan or receives Disability Living Allowance. A full list of eligibility criteria including specific date of birth ranges is available on the Kent County Council Free Childcare website page. A handy parents’ guide is also available.
You don’t have to use the full 15 hours each week and once eligibility has been confirmed, the funding will remain with your child until they take up their free three year old place – even if your circumstances change. To find out more about using the free childcare for two year olds and to apply online visit Kent County Council free childcare.
All three and four-year olds and some two-year olds are entitled to up to 15 hours of free early education and childcare over 38 weeks of the year. If you are a working parent, your three- and four-year olds may be entitled to another 15 hours of childcare. Visit for more information on funding for childcare and Childcare Choices for information.
Families will find the Government’s Childcare Choices website and Kent County Council useful sources of information on the schemes including a childcare calculator which helps families work out how much help they might be entitled to. Starting from April 2024, existing childcare support will be expanded in phases. By September 2025, most working families with children under the age of five will be entitled to 30 hours of childcare support.
Useful resources
- Childcare and pre-school – find local information on childcare options including entitlements to free childcare from Kent County Council.
- Family and Childcare Trust – with guides to help you find, choose and afford childcare near you.