Free childcare in Tower Hamlets
Council links and deadlines for funded hours in Tower Hamlets, 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.
Tower Hamlets Family Information Service
The council also runs a parent portal for the two-year-old offer. The helpline and drop-in operate Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.
Checked against the council website on 22 October 2026.
Frequently asked questions
How do I apply for free childcare in Tower Hamlets?
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 Tower Hamlets council. Tower Hamlets council explains its own process on its website.
Which settings in Tower Hamlets offer funded places?
Many of the 150 settings we list in Tower Hamlets offer funded hours, but not all, and some limit the number of funded places. Ask each setting directly.
