The scheme is called Free Childcare for Working Parents. You need to earn at least the minimum wage for 16 hours a week on average, and neither parent can have adjusted net income over £100,000.
Quick facts
- Hours
- 30 a week, 38 weeks a year
- Age
- 9 months to 4 years
- Apply from
- 23 weeks old
- Earn at least
- 16 hours a week at minimum wage
- Income cap
- £100,000 each
- Reconfirm
- Every 3 months
What you get
You can get 30 hours of free childcare per week for 38 weeks of the year.
You may be able to get free childcare for more than 38 weeks a year if you take fewer hours over more weeks.
The childcare must be provided by a registered provider, such as a registered nursery, playscheme or school.
Who can get it — the full rules
To be eligible for Free Childcare for Working Parents, you (and your partner if you have one) will need to be in work or about to start a new job. You (and your partner) will also need to earn over a certain amount.
This is the National Minimum Wage or Living Wage for 16 hours a week on average.
If either of you has an expected adjusted net income over £100,000, you cannot get it.
Applying, and keeping it
You can apply for 30 hours of free childcare from when your child is 23 weeks old.
If your application is approved, you’ll get an 11-digit code that proves you’re eligible to get free childcare. You’ll need to give this code to your childcare provider.
You must sign in to your childcare account every 3 months to confirm your details are up to date.
15 hours for 2-year-olds if you get extra support
You’re classed as getting extra support if any of the following apply:
- you get Universal Credit, and your household income is £15,400 a year or less after tax, not including benefit payments
- your child has an Education and Health Care plan
- your child gets Disability Living Allowance
- your child has left care under an adoption order, special guardianship order or a child arrangements order
If you work as well, the two schemes together can give a 2-year-old 30 hours a week. To apply for the extra support hours, you need to speak to the early years team or Family Information Service at your local council.
Extras you may be asked to pay for
Although the childcare is free, you may be asked to pay for some extras, such as meals, nappies, extra hours or trips.
You can still get the free childcare if you do not pay for any extra costs.
Extra money for your child's nursery
Your child’s early years education provider could get up to £570 per year to help with your child’s education. This is the early years pupil premium, for families on certain benefits.
Your child’s early years provider could get £938 a year to help with their education and support, through the disability access fund, if your child gets Disability Living Allowance.
Other help with childcare costs
As well as getting Free Childcare for Working Parents, you may be able to get either Tax-Free Childcare or Universal Credit childcare.
You cannot get both Tax-Free Childcare and Universal Credit childcare at the same time.
Common questions
How many free childcare hours can I get in England?
30 hours a week for 38 weeks of the year, for a child aged 9 months to 4 years, if you are working and eligible.
When can I apply?
From when your child is 23 weeks old.
How much do I need to earn?
The equivalent of 16 hours a week at the National Minimum Wage or Living Wage, and under £100,000 adjusted net income.
Do I have to reconfirm?
Yes. You must sign in to your childcare account every 3 months.