Children aged 2 to 3 years old
From 1 January 2026, your child can receive funding towards childcare costs in the school year they turn 3 years old.
This funding isn’t limited to 15 hours. You can use it for any childcare payments you make during a full school year, including outside term time.
If your child is eligible from January to August 2026, you can apply for up to £4,180. You'll be able to receive a backdated payment from that date.
For children eligible for a full school year from the 1 September 2026, you’ll be able to apply for up to £6,270.
Your childcare provider must be a registered private nursery or childminder. You need to arrange your own childcare and costs can vary between providers.
List of registered childcare providers
If you can’t pay for childcare in advance,
contact the Jersey Child Care Trust (JCCT).
Apply for funding
You can apply for any amount at any time during the school year, while your child is eligible.
All applications should be made by 31 August.
You can claim all your funding in 1 application or spread it out, it’s up to you. The maximum amount won’t change.
If you decide to split your claim, you can apply up to:
- 2 times if your child is eligible from January to August 2026
- 3 times in a school year if your child is eligible from 1 September 2026
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January to August 2026 | 1 or 2 | £4,180 |
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Full school year (from September 2026) | 1, 2 or 3 | £6,270
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To apply, you’ll need:
- your and your child’s Social Security number
- your Tax Identification Number (TIN)
- your bank details
- registered nursery or childminder name
- payment receipt from the nursery or childminder. This must include your child’s name, childcare provider name and how much you paid. We don’t accept bank statements or invoices
Once your application is approved, you’ll receive payment within 4 weeks.
Apply for childcare funding
If you don’t have your TIN, contact
Revenue Jersey. You can also request one by making a personal tax enquiry.
Who can get funding
All children can get childcare funding in the school year they turn 3 years old. No matter their parent’s income and employment or residential status.
Funding is given per child. If you have twins for example, you can apply for both children. You don’t need to apply for funding if your child goes to:
- Play and Learn at D’Auvergne
- Douet Dinkies at Plat Douet
| 1 September 2022 to 31 August 2023 | From January 2026 to August 2026 |
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| 1 September 2023 to 31 August 2024 | September 2026 to August 2027 |
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| 1 September 2024 to 31 August 2025 | September 2027 to August 2028 |
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| 1 September 2025 to 31 August 2026 | September 2028 to August 2029 |
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| 1 September 2026 to 31 August 2027 | September 2029 to August 2030
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Tax and childcare funding
On your tax return you:
- can’t claim childcare tax relief on payments you receive funding for
- should not include the childcare funding payments you receive as income
Receiving childcare funding could affect your ITIS effective rate or income tax. As school years run across 2 financial years, you may need to take this into account when completing your tax return.
For more details check the guidance on
child care tax relief.
Childcare funding if you’re claiming Income Support
If you already get childcare support through Income Support, this will continue as normal. However, you may be able to claim if there is an amount they don’t cover.
Before you apply, you must contact
Income Support for advice.
Children aged 3 to 4 years old
In the school year your child turns 4 years old, they can get up to 30 free nursery hours each week. This is for 38 weeks during term time only, starting in September.
The free nursery hours are called the Nursery Education Fund (NEF).
To get free nursery hours, your child must attend a NEF-registered childcare provider. You only pay if your child attends more than 30 hours per week.
When your child can receive free hours
Your child can receive free nursery hours in the school year they turn 4 years old.
The following year, they will start Reception which is free. Find out how to
register for a primary school reception place.
| 1 September 2022 to 31 August 2023 | September 2026 to August 2027 |
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| 1 September 2023 to 31 August 2024 | September 2027 to August 2028 |
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| 1 September 2024 to 31 August 2025 | September 2028 to August 2029 |
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| 1 September 2025 to 31 August 2026 | September 2029 to August 2030 |
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| 1 September 2026 to 31 August 2027 | September 2030 to August 2031
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Where you can get a place
You can apply for a funded nursery place at:
- public school nurseries
- NEF-registered private nurseries
You can’t get free nursery hours from a childminder.
School nursery place
Most of our public primary schools have a nursery class.
These nurseries provide care to children in the year before they start Reception. They are open term time only.
Contact the school or find out how to
register and apply for a school nursery place.
Private nursery place
Some nurseries are open outside of school hours and all year. Contact them for more details and for available spaces.
Find a
list of private nurseries.
Childcare help if you’re on Income Support
You may be able to receive help paying for childcare if you’re on Income Support when you:
- are working
- are studying
- have an illness or disability
Find more on
how your childcare benefit made up or contact Income Support.
Children aged under 2
As a new parent you have employment rights and can receive financial support.
Find more details on
parental rights and financial assistance.
gov.je