Free childcare in Southwark
Council links and deadlines for funded hours in Southwark, 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.
Southwark Family Information Service
Southwark has separate pages for working families, some 2-year-olds and all 3 to 4 year olds, plus a queries page for free early education entitlement.
Checked against the council website on 22 October 2026.
Frequently asked questions
How do I apply for free childcare in Southwark?
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 Southwark council. Southwark council explains its own process on its website.
Which settings in Southwark offer funded places?
Many of the 169 settings we list in Southwark offer funded hours, but not all, and some limit the number of funded places. Ask each setting directly.