Family · UK

30 Hours Free Childcare in England: Who Qualifies and What It's Worth

Since September 2025, working parents in England can get 30 funded hours a week from age 9 months until school — the largest expansion of childcare support in decades. With full-time nursery often costing £1,200–£1,600 a month, the entitlement can be worth £6,000–£8,000+ per child per year. But the eligibility rules have sharp edges.

The entitlement (England, 2026/27)

Child's age	Working parents	All families
9 months – 2 years	30 hours	—
3 – 4 years	30 hours	15 hours universal

Hours are funded for 38 weeks a year (term time). Most nurseries let you "stretch" them — roughly 22 funded hours a week across 52 weeks — so a full-time place is still only partly covered.

Who counts as a "working parent"

• Each parent (both, in a couple) must expect to earn at least the equivalent of 16 hours/week at minimum wage — roughly £10,000/year for an adult on the National Living Wage.
• Neither parent may have adjusted net income over £100,000. One parent at £100,001 kills the entitlement even if the other earns nothing — a genuine cliff edge where a £1 pay rise can cost thousands. Pension contributions reduce adjusted net income and can keep you under.
• You must reconfirm your eligibility code every 3 months via your childcare account; codes also have application deadlines before each term starts.
• Self-employed parents qualify on the same earnings test.

Stack Tax-Free Childcare on top

The same childcare account gives you Tax-Free Childcare: for every £8 you pay in, the government adds £2 — up to £2,000 per child per year (£4,000 if disabled). It covers the hours and extras the funded entitlement doesn't: stretched weeks, meals and consumables charges, wraparound and holiday care. Same £100,000 cliff applies. You can't use it alongside Universal Credit childcare support or childcare vouchers — pick whichever pays more.

For the bigger picture — childcare support, Child Benefit, maternity pay and the money moves that matter — see the UK Growing Family guide.

Sources

• GOV.UK — Free childcare if you're working: eligibility and how to apply
• GOV.UK — Tax-Free Childcare (£2,000/year top-up, £100,000 adjusted net income test)
• Childcare Choices (DfE) — entitlement by age and term dates; Scotland, Wales and NI run separate schemes

Figures as of June 2026; England only — Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have different schemes. Verify on GOV.UK before relying on a code. This is general information, not regulated financial advice (FCA).