Free childcare in Tower Hamlets & Newham — how to apply, step by step
Every week we help East London families claim their free childcare hours — and every week we meet parents who didn’t realise how much they were entitled to. Here’s the whole thing, in plain English.
What you can get
- 15 hours a week — every 3 & 4 year old. Universal, from the term after your child’s third birthday. It doesn’t matter whether you work.
- Up to 30 hours a week — working families. For parents who each earn at least the equivalent of 16 hours a week at minimum wage (and under £100k a year each). This route also covers younger children of working families, from 9 months old.
- Funded 2-year-old places — additional support route. Families receiving certain benefits can get 15 free hours for their 2-year-old even if they’re not working.
All funded hours at Iqra run term time (38 weeks a year), with no registration fee, no deposit and no top-up charges.
How to apply, step by step
- Check what you qualify for at childcarechoices.gov.uk — it takes about two minutes.
- Universal 15 hours? There’s nothing to apply for. Skip to step 5 — we claim the funding for you when you register.
- Working-family hours? Apply through the government’s childcare service (via Childcare Choices). You’ll get an 11-digit code.
- Mind the deadline. Your code must be issued before the term starts — 31 August for September, 31 December for January, 31 March for April. Codes must also be reconfirmed every 3 months, so set a phone reminder.
- Bring us your code (or just your child’s details for the universal hours) with your National Insurance number and your child’s birth certificate. We complete the local authority paperwork — Newham for Manor Park, Tower Hamlets for Poplar and Whitechapel — with you.
- Choose your sessions — morning (9.15–12.15), afternoon (12.45–3.45) or full time (9.15–3.15) — and your child’s place is set.
Not sure about any step? That’s genuinely what we’re here for — call, WhatsApp or message us and we’ll walk you through it. Both councils’ Family Information Services can also advise: Tower Hamlets and Newham.
Ready when you are
Places for September fill up first — see what a funded place is worth (up to £11,400 a year at our rates), then apply for a place at Manor Park, Poplar or Whitechapel.
Common questions
Do I need to apply for the universal 15 hours?
No application or code is needed for the universal entitlement. Every child gets 15 funded hours a week from the term after their 3rd birthday, whether or not you work. Just register with us and we claim the funding with the local authority for you.
When does my child become eligible?
Funding starts the term after the relevant birthday. For example, a child who turns 3 in October starts their funded place in January. If they turn 3 during the summer holidays, they start in September.
What is the deadline to get my 30-hours code?
Your code must be issued before the term starts: by 31 August for the autumn term, 31 December for the spring term, and 31 March for the summer term. Apply a few weeks early — codes can take time to come through.
Do funded hours cover school holidays?
Our funded places run term time only — 38 weeks a year — which is how the standard entitlement is designed. Our term dates follow the school year, so drop-offs fit around your other children.
Do I have to pay anything at all?
Iqra Preschool has no registration fee, no deposit and no extra charges on funded places. Parents provide snacks and nappies. Hours beyond your entitlement are charged at £10 per hour.
What if I don't work — can my 2-year-old still get a place?
Possibly, yes. Some 2-year-olds qualify for funded places through additional support criteria (for example if the family receives certain benefits), separate from the working-parent route. Contact your council's Family Information Service or ask us — we'll help you check.