Free childcare in Kensington and Chelsea
Council links and deadlines for funded hours in Kensington and Chelsea, checked against the council’s own website.
- Working parents (from 9 months)
- Apply on GOV.UK for an 11-digit code and give it to your provider; re-confirm every 3 months. Apply on GOV.UK
- 2-year-olds with extra support
- Apply through the council. This link goes to the council's application. Apply
- All 3 and 4-year-olds (15 hours)
- No application to the council: speak to your chosen provider.
Deadlines for working-parent codes
| Two-year-old start dates (benefits-based) | Code by Child's birthday 1 January to 31 March: start April (apply from January); 1 April to 31 August: start September (apply from April); 1 September to 31 December: start January (apply from September) |
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Kensington and Chelsea (and Westminster) Family Information Service
RBKC calls its two-year-old offer 'Busy2s' and accepts applications from 20 months. The council page used here is its two-year-old page on the Family Information Hub (page last reviewed 21 April 2026 by the council).
Checked against the council website on 22 October 2026.
Frequently asked questions
How do I apply for free childcare in Kensington and Chelsea?
Funded hours for working parents are applied for through the government’s Childcare Service, which gives you a code to take to your provider. The universal 15 hours for 3 and 4-year-olds needs no code: ask your provider. Your provider then claims the funding from Kensington and Chelsea council. Kensington and Chelsea council explains its own process on its website.
Which settings in Kensington and Chelsea offer funded places?
Many of the 106 settings we list in Kensington and Chelsea offer funded hours, but not all, and some limit the number of funded places. Ask each setting directly.