Apply for funded early learning and childcare for foster children aged 9 months to 4 years
Foster Carers are eligible for Free for 2s, 15 hours of funded early learning and childcare under the looked after child criteria. From 1 September 2025 and if they meet the criteria, they can apply to us for their code for the additional 15 hours, totalling 30 hours of funded childcare.
This is a targeted offer that is supported by the supervising social worker. The process to establish eligibility for foster carers will be managed by us and not HMRC.
Foster carers are eligible for 30 hours for the child in their care if:
- it is consistent with the child’s care plan
- the foster carer and partner (if applicable) are working outside their fostering role
- the foster carer has discussed the application with the child’s social worker before applying
If you are eligible and you have the child's social worker's agreement, complete and submit the application form.
The 30hrs offer for foster carers is strictly for those who work in addition to their fostering role.
You will need to renew your Foster Carers additional hours code with us every 3 months (before the expiry of your existing code) to continue receiving your funded hours.
How to apply
More eligibility information and how to apply.
In all cases, you and your partner (if you have one) must be working outside of your foster carer roles.
9 months old
Following the term the child turns 9 months old, you will need to complete the application form for your eligibility code for up to 30 hours per week of funded childcare.
2 year olds
If you have not already done so, you will need to apply for Free for 2s for the 15 hours under the looked after child criteria in the first instance. You do not need a code for Free for 2s, but you will receive an eligibility letter which you will need to show to your chosen childcare provider.
If both of the following apply, you will need an eligibility code from us for the additional 15 hours per week, to make up the 30 hours:
- you have already taken up Free for 2s of up to 15 hours per week
- you meet the eligibility criteria for funded childcare for working foster carers
3-4 year olds
If both of the following apply, you can get your eligibility code from us for the additional 15 hours per week:
- you have already taken up the universal offer of up to 15 hours per week for all 3 and 4-year-olds (which does not require an eligibility letter or code)
- you meet the working parents’ eligibility criteria
Application form
Following your application
If eligible, the foster carer will receive a time sensitive code on application.
Codes must be renewed and resubmitted to the childcare provider termly/every 3 months. This is to ensure that the parent’s/foster carer’s circumstances have not changed and that they are still eligible to receive the funded hours.
See more information on fostering in Haringey.
Useful information
If your partner is not a foster carer, or you are applying for your own children, you can find out about other help with childcare costs on our Help with childcare costs page.
For further information about Free for 2s see our Free Early Learning for 2-year-olds for parents receiving additional support page.
If you need more help contact: earlyeducation@haringey.gov.uk