Free childcare and help paying for childcare
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Overview
If your child is 2, 3 or 4 years old, you may be eligible for free early education and childcare. The amount you get will depend on the age of your child and your circumstances. You can use your Free Early Education hours for nurseries or registered childminders.
These childcare offers do not cover the costs of meals, other consumables (e.g., nappies), additional hours or extra activities (e.g., trips). You will not be required to choose these extras, but you may be charged if you do opt for them.
Upcoming changes to free early education and childcare
How much free childcare you’re entitled to is changing
Starting from April 2024, existing childcare support will be expanded to support more families. By September 2025, most working families with children under the age of 5 will be entitled to 30 hours of childcare support.
The changes are being introduced gradually to make sure that providers can meet the needs of more families.
This means that from:
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April 2024, eligible working parents of 2-year-olds will be able to access 15 hours of free childcare support. View more information and Apply here
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September 2024, eligible working parents of 9-month-olds – 3-year-olds will be able to get up to 15 hours a week of free childcare. View more information and updates here
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September 2025, eligible working parents of 9 month- 3-year-olds can get up to 30 hours of free childcare a week. View more information and updates here
Like the existing offer, depending on your provider, these hours can be used over 38 weeks of the year (during school term time), or up to 52 weeks if you use fewer than your total hours per week.
The childcare choices website has more information and you can sign up to get more details about the upcoming expansion from April 2024, as well as how and when to register for support with childcare costs.
Free early years childcare for 2 year olds
The current 2 year old offer
If you are receiving the qualifying benefits, your 2 year old can access 15 hours of early education for free each week, for 38 weeks of the year. You can take these 15 hours as flexibly as your childcare provider can offer.
In addition to the qualifying benefits above the Department of Education has also included the following 2 criteria:
- families that are excluded from claiming public funds as a consequence of their immigration status, or their lack of immigration status
- families who are in receipt of support under section 17 of the Children Act 1989
2 year olds that qualify can start their free place at the beginning of the school term following their second birthday.
A child born between: | Is eligible from: |
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1 January - 31 March |
1 April - Summer Term |
April - 31 August |
1 September - Autumn Term |
1 September - 31 December |
1 January - Spring Term |
Apply for free childcare for 2 year olds
Search for childcare providers offering free childcare for 2 year olds
Free early years childcare for 3 and 4 year olds
The current 3 and 4 year old offer
All 3 and 4 year olds are currently entitled to 15 hours of free early education for 38 weeks a year.
You can take these 15 hours as flexibly as your childcare provider can offer. Some providers are able to extend the hours over 52 weeks using fewer hours each week.
3 year olds can start their free place at the beginning of the term following their third birthday.
Please apply directly to the childcare provider.
Search for childcare providers offering free childcare for 3 and 4 year olds here
You may also be eligible for 30 hours free childcare if you or your partner expect to earn at least £167 per week on average (equal to 16 hours at the National Minimum or Living Wage), you may be eligible for 30 hours of free childcare. Check if you’re eligible.
Tax free childcare
If you, or your partner are over 16 and each expect to earn an average of £167 per week (equal to 16 hours at the National Minimum or Living Wage) over three months, you could be eligible for tax-free childcare.
If you, or your partner, are on maternity, paternity or adoption leave, or you're unable to work because you are disabled or have caring responsibilities, you could still be eligible.
Please note, you cannot get Tax-Free Childcare if either you, or your partner, each individually expect to earn £100,000 or more.
For more information on tax-free childcare, visit the Childcare Choices Website
Check if you can get tax-free childcare
Universal Credit for childcare
If you or your partner are working or you’re due to start work and are claiming Universal Credit you could be eligible for universal credit for childcare.
For more information on universal credit for childcare, visit the childcare choices website
Check if you can get universal credit for childcare