Using the hours
Many childcare providers will work flexibly to help meets your needs, within the following limits:
- your child can have a maximum of 570 hours per year of childcare and early education
- you can take a maximum of 15 hours per week during term time only (38 weeks per year), or if the childcare provider is open year round, you could take fewer hours every week but spread them across the year. Each session can last up to 10 hours a day up to a maximum of 15 hours per week
- you can buy additional hours with your childcare provider, if they have spaces available
You should discuss with your chosen childcare provider regarding the flexible options available to you.