Working parents in England can access funded childcare from as early as 9 months old, with up to 30 hours of support per week during term time. The scheme, officially called Free Childcare for Working Parents, has expanded significantly since 2024 and now covers children up to school age, subject to earnings and employment rules.
The offering comes in two main tiers: 15 hours and 30 hours per week. Which one a family qualifies for depends on the child’s age, the parents’ work status, and household income. For those who do not meet the working-parent criteria, other options exist, including the universal 15 hours for all 3- and 4-year-olds.
This guide covers eligibility, how to apply, key dates, and what to do if your circumstances do not fit the standard rules. It draws on official government sources and independent advice from organisations such as Working Families.
Free childcare for working parents eligibility
30 hours per week (term time) or 1,140 hours per year
9 months to 4 years old (in England)
Working parents (both parents if in a couple) earning at least £152/week each
Online via GOV.UK – use a childcare account
The eligibility rules for 30 hours are specific and apply to families living in England. Key points include:
- Each parent in a couple must earn at least £152 per week but less than £100,000 per year in adjusted net income.
- Single parents must meet the same earnings threshold on their own.
- Self-employed parents can qualify and may need to provide a Unique Taxpayer Reference (UTR).
- Parents on maternity, paternity, adoption, shared parental, sick, or annual leave remain eligible.
- A National Insurance number is required for each applicant.
- Families can apply from when the child is 23 weeks old, with funding starting the term after the child turns 9 months.
- Eligibility must be reconfirmed every three months or the funding code may expire.
| Fact | Value |
|---|---|
| Scheme name | Free Childcare for Working Parents |
| Type | Government-funded early education and childcare |
| Hours per week | 15 or 30 (depending on child age and family circumstances) |
| Weeks per year | 38 (term time) or can be stretched to 52 |
| Delivery | Through registered childcare providers (nurseries, childminders, etc.) |
| Eligibility check | Online via GOV.UK eligibility checker |
| Minimum earnings (per parent) | £152 per week (approx. 16 hours at National Minimum Wage) |
| Maximum income (per parent) | Below £100,000 adjusted net income per year |
| Child minimum age | 9 months (funding starts from term after) |
| Application window | From 23 weeks old |
| Reconfirmation period | Every 3 months |
| Provider requirement | Must be Ofsted-registered |
15 hours free childcare for 2 year old: how to apply
Who can get 15 hours for a 2-year-old
From April 2024, working parents of 2-year-olds became eligible for 15 hours of funded childcare per week. This was part of the phased rollout that began with 9-month-olds in September 2024 and later extended to 30 hours for 2-year-olds in April 2025. The 15-hour offer for 2-year-olds is also available to families receiving certain benefits, such as Universal Credit with low household earnings, or where the child has an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) or is looked after by the local authority.
Documents needed to apply
To apply online through the GOV.UK childcare service, you will need your National Insurance number, your child’s birth certificate reference number if available, your Unique Taxpayer Reference if self-employed, and the date you started or are due to start work. The application takes around 20 minutes and, if approved, you receive a childcare eligibility code to give to your provider.
When to apply
You can apply from when your child is 23 weeks old for the working-parent entitlement. The funded hours begin from the start of the term after your child turns 9 months (or 2 years, for the 2-year-old offer). If your child already receives 15 hours through another route, you can usually move to 30 hours by reapplying and confirming you meet the working-parent criteria.
Not all nurseries and childminders offer the same pattern. Some allow you to stretch 1,140 hours per year across 52 weeks instead of 38, reducing the weekly hours but providing cover during school holidays. Ask your provider what they offer before you apply.
30 hours free childcare for working parents
What the 30 hours entitlement includes
The 30 hours offer provides up to 30 hours of funded early education and childcare per week during term time (38 weeks), equating to 1,140 hours per year. Some providers let you stretch those hours across more weeks at a lower weekly rate, depending on their individual policy. The funding is not cash – it is paid directly to the registered childcare provider by the local authority.
Who qualifies for 30 hours
Eligibility for 30 hours follows the same earnings rules as the working-parent 15-hour offer. Both parents (or the sole parent in a single-parent household) must earn at least £152 per week and have an adjusted net income below £100,000 per year. The child must be aged 9 months to 4 years and live in England. Parents on statutory leave still qualify, as do those who are self-employed with a UTR.
How 30 hours compares to 15 hours
The main difference is the number of funded hours. The 30-hour entitlement is for working parents who meet the earnings rules, while the universal 15 hours is available to all 3- and 4-year-olds regardless of income or work status. For 2-year-olds, the 15-hour offer is means-tested or linked to additional needs. Where a child qualifies for both schemes, the total funded hours are capped at 30 per week. For more details on managing your government childcare accounts, read our guide on Tax Free Childcare Login – How to Sign In to GOV.UK Account.
Free childcare for 1 year old
Yes, free childcare is available for 1-year-olds of working parents in England. The 15-hour offer for 9-month-olds and 1-year-olds began in September 2024, and the 30-hour offer was extended to this age group from September 2025. Funding starts from the term after the child turns 9 months old. Families can apply from when the child is 23 weeks old, giving them time to secure a place before the funding begins.
9 months to 2 years: working parents can access 15 or 30 hours depending on the rollout phase. 2 years: working parents can access 30 hours (from April 2025). 3-4 years: all children receive 15 hours universal, and working parents can get 30 hours. The hours are capped at 30 per week regardless of overlapping entitlements.
Free childcare for non working parents
Universal 15 hours for 3 and 4 year olds
All 3- and 4-year-olds in England are entitled to 15 hours of funded early education per week, regardless of their parents’ employment or income. This is a universal offer and does not require an application through the working-parent scheme, though parents still need to register with a participating provider.
15 hours for 2 year olds with additional needs or low income
Some 2-year-olds qualify for 15 hours if their family receives certain benefits, such as Universal Credit with annual household earnings below a set threshold, or if the child has an Education, Health and Care Plan, is looked after by the local authority, or has left care through adoption or a special guardianship order. This is separate from the working-parent entitlement.
Other support options for non-working families
Non-working families may also explore Tax-Free Childcare, which can be used regardless of employment status as long as the child is under 12 (or 17 for disabled children). The government contributes £2 for every £8 paid in, up to £2,000 per year. This can be combined with the universal 15 hours to cover additional hours or costs. For those on Universal Credit, childcare costs can be claimed back up to certain limits.
When can I apply for 30 hours free childcare? Timeline of key dates
- April 2024 – 15 hours free childcare extended to 2-year-olds of working parents.
- September 2024 – 15 hours free childcare extended to 9-month-olds of working parents.
- April 2025 – 30 hours free childcare extended to 2-year-olds of working parents.
- September 2025 – 30 hours free childcare extended to all children aged 9 months to 4 years of working parents.
- March 2026 – Best Start in Life page updated with latest guidance (ongoing).
Applications can be made from 23 weeks old, but the funding does not begin until the term after the child reaches the eligible age. Parents should apply early to ensure their chosen provider has availability.
What is the difference between 15 and 30 hours free childcare?
| Established information | Information that remains unclear |
|---|---|
| 30 hours is available for children aged 9 months to 4 years for working parents earning above £152/week. | Exact availability of stretched 52-week offer depends on the provider – not all offer it. |
| 15 hours is available for all 3- and 4-year-olds (including non-working families). | Eligibility for self-employed parents with variable income may require averaging over a period – the exact method can vary. |
| Applications are made through a childcare account on GOV.UK. | Changes to income thresholds or future expansions beyond 2025 are not yet confirmed. |
| The funding is capped at 30 hours per week even if a child qualifies under multiple schemes. | How the stretched offer interacts with provider availability and term-time-only patterns is not always clear in advance. |
Why was free childcare expanded for working parents?
The expansion of free childcare for working parents is part of a government initiative to increase workforce participation and reduce the cost of living for families. Prior to 2024, only 3- and 4-year-olds received universal 15 hours, and working parents could get 30 hours for children aged 3-4. The phased rollout now covers children from 9 months, aligning with parental leave patterns and allowing parents to return to work earlier if they wish.
The scheme is designed to work alongside Tax-Free Childcare, which can cover additional hours or costs not met by the funded entitlement. Many families find the application straightforward, but confusion remains around income thresholds for self-employed applicants and how the stretched offer interacts with individual provider policies.
What do the official sources say about free childcare?
“You may be able to get 30 hours of free childcare a week through the Free Childcare for Working Parents scheme.”
GOV.UK – Free Childcare for Working Parents: Overview
“The funding covers up to 15 or 30 hours of early education and childcare a week for 38 weeks a year.”
Education Hub blog (Department for Education)
“If you are working you may be entitled to 30 hours of free childcare during term time if your child is aged between 9-months and 4-years old.”
Working Families UK
For the most up-to-date eligibility check, parents should use the official GOV.UK eligibility checker, which asks about earnings, work status, and child age. The Department for Education’s Education Hub also publishes step-by-step guidance and answers common questions.
Everything you need to know about free childcare for working parents
In summary, working parents in England can access 30 hours of funded childcare per week for children aged 9 months to 4 years, provided they meet the earnings rules (at least £152 per week per parent, below £100,000 per year). All 3- and 4-year-olds receive 15 hours universal regardless of income, and some 2-year-olds qualify for 15 hours through additional support routes. Applications are made via a GOV.UK childcare account, and eligibility must be reconfirmed every three months. For families who do not qualify for the working-parent scheme, Tax-Free Childcare and Universal Credit childcare support are available alternatives. For more details on managing your government childcare accounts, read our guide on Tax Free Childcare Login – How to Sign In to GOV.UK Account.
Frequently asked questions about free childcare for working parents
Can I get free childcare if I work 16 hours a week?
Yes, as long as your weekly earnings are at least £152 (or £152 per parent for couples). The hours worked can be variable.
What if I earn over £100,000?
If one parent earns over £100,000 per year, the family is not eligible for the working parent free childcare scheme. Check other support like Tax-Free Childcare.
Can I use free childcare with Tax-Free Childcare?
Yes, they can be combined. For example, use the 30 free hours and then top up with Tax-Free Childcare for additional hours or wraparound care.
How often do I need to reconfirm eligibility?
Every three months you need to log into your childcare account to confirm your circumstances haven’t changed.
What if my child turns 3 during the term?
You can apply for the 30 hours from the start of the term after their 3rd birthday, or earlier if they are eligible for 15 hours from age 9 months.
Can I get 30 hours free childcare if I work part-time?
Yes, as long as your earnings meet the minimum threshold of £152 per week. Part-time workers who earn enough each week can qualify for the full 30 hours.
What if I am self-employed with irregular income?
You can still qualify. You will need to provide a UTR and may need to average your income over a period to show you meet the minimum earnings threshold.
Do both parents need to work for 30 hours?
For couples, yes – both parents must meet the earnings rules unless one is on qualifying leave (maternity, paternity, etc.). Single parents must meet the threshold alone.
Can I lose my funding if I miss reconfirmation?
Yes. Funding can be paused temporarily if you miss the three-month reconfirmation deadline, but it can usually be reinstated once you reconfirm.
Where do I go for help if I cannot apply online?
The GOV.UK childcare account has a helpline. You can also get advice from Working Families, a charity that supports parents navigating the childcare system.
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Oscar Brooks covers local business, housing, jobs and property across Hampshire.