From September 2025, funded childcare provision is being expanded.
This applies to providers such as nurseries and registered childminders but does not apply to a nanny, home carer, or childcare provided by a relative. It will also not cover additional activities, such as trips, meals, nappies and additional hours.
Parents must have secured a place with their preferred childcare provider before applying for the funding (Photo: Rawpixel/Getty)
Who is eligible for 30 hours of free childcare?
At present, working parents can access:
30 hours of free childcare for three and four-year-olds; 15 hours of free childcare for children aged between nine months and two years; 15 hours of free childcare a week for two-year-olds.However, there are certain criteria to meet to get this funded provision. Working parents must be;
In work or starting a new job; On sick leave or annual leave; On shared parental, maternity, paternity or adoption leave.In terms of family income, parents must each expect to earn at least:
£6,281 per year before tax for those under 18 or an apprentice (equivalent to £120 per week); £10,158 per year before tax for those aged 21 or over (equivalent to £195 per week); £8,320 per year before tax for those aged 18 to 20 (equivalent to £160 per week).On the immigration front, the person who applies must have one of the following:
British or Irish citizenship; Settled or pre-settled status, or you have applied and you’re waiting for a decision; Permission to access public funds.How can I apply for free childcare?
Parents must have secured a place with their preferred childcare provider before applying for the funding. They will also need:
Their national insurance (NI) number; The date they started or are due to start work; Details of any government support or benefits received; the UK birth certificate reference number for their child.After making the application, families generally find out immediately if they are eligible for the free childcare, but it can take up to seven days in some cases.
Parents must give the code to the childcare provider along with the child’s date of birth and the parent’s NI number.
Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said the Government is committed to increasing access to childcare (Photo: Chris J. Ratcliffe/Bloomberg)
The scheme to expand free childcare was introduced by the previous Conservative government. The present Labour Government has said it is “committed to increasing access to childcare that gives every child the best start in life”.
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“Early years is my number one priority, and making sure families are able to benefit from this rollout is a promise made, and promise kept.”
“They will be able to make choices about the career that’s right for them, the hours that they want, but also [have] the freedom to think about family size and how many children they want to have, with support from the Government around childcare hours”, she added.
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