Early years education and childcare: 15 and 30 free hours explained

Parents of all 3-4 year olds in England are entitled to 15 hours of free childcare, with many entitled to 30 hours … and this is extending. By September 2025, all preschoolers from nine months up will be entitled to 30 free hours, find out what you're entitled to and when and how to apply

Childcare costs can be financially crippling for many families. That's why 15 or 30 hours of free childcare for three and four-year-olds – and from April this year, two year-olds – can be a huge help for working parents.

Here's what you need to know:

• What is free early education and childcare?
• Will my child be eligible for 15 hours' free childcare?
• Will my child be eligible for 30 hours' free childcare?
• Entitlements in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland
• How do I get the 30 hours' free childcare?
• Where can I get 30 free hours' childcare?
• When can I start using free childcare?
• How can I use the free 30 hours?
• Do I have to pay anything to get the free hours?
• What if I work and need more childcare hours than this?
• What about free childcare for 2-year-olds? Is my child eligible for this?
• Find out more

All children aged three or four years old who live in England are entitled to 570 hours of free early years education or childcare per year. Many are entitled to 1,140 hours per year.

This is usually taken during term time – so 38 weeks a year – which works out as 15 hours per week, or 30 hours per week for those entitled to the full allowance.

However, you can choose to use the hours however you want. For example, you could take fewer hours per week, over more weeks of the year.

Childcare providers don't have to provide the free hours. Most will provide the 15 free hours, but many don't provide the full free 30 hours.

If you can, it's best to start your childcare search early, to increase your chances of getting a place.

Be aware that you'll still usually have to pay for your child's meals, nappies, and extras such as trips out.

Upcoming changes to free childcare

In the 2023 budget, the government announced the following upcoming changes to free childcare:

• From April 2024: eligible working parents of 2 year olds will be entitled to 15 hours of free childcare a week.
• From September 2024: eligible working parents of 9 month olds to three year olds will be entitled to 15 hours of free childcare a week.
• From September 2025: eligible working parents of children under five years old will be entitled to 30 hours of free childcare a week.

Here's more information on what's available now:

Yes, all 3-4 year olds in England are eligible for 15 hours' free childcare per week (see below for info on Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland). It doesn't matter whether you're working or not, or how much you earn.

Childcare providers don't have to provide this service, but most do.

From April 2024, two years olds in England are also eligible for 15 hours free childcare providing their parents individually earn the equivalent of 16 hours a week at the National Minimum Wage, and less than £100,000.

Registration for two year olds opened on the 2 January 2024.

If you live in England, and your child is 3-4 years old, you may be entitled to an extra 15 hours (bringing the total up to 30 hours of free childcare per week), if you (and your partner if you have one):

• Expect to earn more than the equivalent of 16 hours per week at minimum or living wage over the next 3 months. This is currently about £165 a week for people over 23, increasing to about £185 from 1 April 2024.
• Each earn less than £100,000 a year. A family with an annual household income of £199,998 would be eligible if each parent earns just under £100,000.
• Have a child aged 3-4 years old living with you.

You may also be eligible if your partner is working, and you claim any of the following benefits:

• Incapacity Benefit
• Severe Disablement Allowance
• Carer's Allowance
• Limited Capability for Work Benefit
• Contribution-based Employment and Support Allowance

Only one parent can claim on the behalf of each child. If you and your child's other parent are separated, you'll need to decide which one of you will apply. If not, you can both apply and HMRC will decide which one of you will get the childcare account.

You can still claim the free childcare if you're taking sickness, parental, maternity, paternity or adoption leave, provided the parental leave isn't for the same child as the childcare.

More details on eligibility are available on the government website.

If you live in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland, this is currently what you're entitled to:

• Scotland: All 3 and 4-year-olds are entitled to up to 1,140 hours of free childcare a year (around 30 hours per week in term time).
• Wales: During term time, 3 and 4-year-olds may get at least 10 hours a week of early education plus up to 20 hours a week of childcare, depending on your local authority.
• Northern Ireland: 3 and 4-year-olds get a funded preschool place – usually at least 12.5 hours of free childcare per week during term time.

Some childcare facilities may choose to opt out of offering this, so even if your child is eligible, your childcare setting doesn't have to offer the full 30. Check with them before you try to claim.

If your childcare provider does offer the full 30 hours then you can find out if you're eligible and apply now on the government website.

It will take around 20 minutes to do the application and you'll need the following to do it:

• your national insurance number
• taxpayer reference (if you're self-employed)
• details of any government support you get to hand. 

The application will then be reviewed by HMRC. If you're eligible, you'll get a code that you can give to your childcare provider to claim the free 30 hours.

How to apply for 15 hours free childcare for 2 year olds

You can apply for 15 hours free childcare for two year olds on the government website. You'll need the following:

• your national insurance number
• taxpayer reference (if you're self-employed)
• details of any government support you get to hand

As this is a new offering for 2024, some parents are facing issues trying to register. If you're struggling, take a look at our frequently asked questions here.

If they choose to offer 30 hours, free early years education places are available from lots of different registered childcare providers including:

• Preschools
• Playgroups
• Registered childminders and nannies
• Day nurseries
• Private nursery schools
• Maintained nursery schools
• Nursery classes attached to primary schools
• After school clubs
• Sure Start children's centres

All of the free early education providers have to meet Government standards, be inspected by Ofsted and help children progress towards the Early Years Foundation Stage ‘early learning goals'.

Whatever childcare you choose, they'll all be meeting these goals, so you can be sure your child will be getting a good start.

If you already have childcare in place, ask your provider if they offer the free hours. If they don't, or you aren’t currently using any childcare, contact your local Family Information Service (FIS) or check the Childcare and Family Services Finder website to find options near you.

The free early education sessions are available in the term following your child's third birthday or your child's second birthday to get the free 15 hours for two year olds from April 2024. They last until your child reaches the statutory school age.

You can apply from when your child is:

• 1 year and 36 weeks for 15 hours free childcare
• 2 years and 36 weeks for 30 hours free childcare

Here's when you can claim your free hours:

• If your child turns two or three between January and March, you can claim from the beginning of the term that begins on or after 1 April. It's recommended that you apply between January and February.
• If your child turns two or three between April and August, you can claim from the beginning of the term that begins on or after 1 September. It's recommended that you apply between June and July.
• If your child turns two or three between September and December, you can claim from the beginning of the term that begins on or after 1 January. It's recommended that you apply between October and November.

There are a few guidelines laid down by the government:

• Each session must be no longer than 10 hours
• They can't be used in sessions that start before 6am or end after 8pm.
• They can be divided between two different childcare providers if needed. For example if you put your child into nursery and also use a childminder. However, you can't use them at more than two places in one day.
• Sessions can happen any day of the week, including weekends

Be aware that different childcare providers might offer the 30 hours within set times and sessions. You'll need to speak to them for more details.

No. Your childcare provider shouldn't charge you for any of the free 30 hours.

However, they're entitled to charge you if you want extra hours and sessions.

They may also charge for any extras they provide, such as meals, nappies or trips out. However, you shouldn't be forced to pay for these things to get your free 30 hours.

Speak to your individual childcare provider to find out more.

If you're working, the current free entitlement is not likely to cover all of your childcare needs. But you may be eligible for extra financial help with the costs of childcare, for example from the childcare element of Universal Credit, or using Tax-Free Childcare.

Visit the government's Childcare Choices website to find the best option for your family.

You can also ask your childcare provider if they are able to ‘stretch’ your free entitlement over more than 38 weeks of the year.

The free entitlement is usually offered as 30 hours per week for 38 weeks of the year. In some areas you can use fewer hours per week over more weeks of the year. For example, you may be able to use just over 11 hours per week for 50 weeks of the year.

Ask your childcare provider or your local Family Information Service if this is an option.

Some 2-year-olds are currently eligible for a funded place if their parents claims any of the following:

• Income Support.
• Income-based Jobseekers Allowance (JSA)
• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
• Universal Credit, if your household income is no more than £15,400 a year after tax (not including benefit payments)
• Tax credits, if your household income is no more than £16,190 a year before tax
• The guaranteed element of Pension Credit
• The Working Tax Credit 4-week run on (the payment you get when you stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit)

A child is also eligible if they:

• Are looked after by a local council.
• Have an education health and care (EHC) plan.
• Receive Disability Living Allowance.
• Have left care under a special guardianship order, child arrangements order or adoption order.

To find out if your child is eligible, contact your local council.

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For further information about free early education in England, contact your local Family Information Service or visit the government's Childcare Choices website.

You can also check our Netmums Local pages to find nurseries, childminders and playgroups in your area.

Wondering what other support is available, or have more questions? Check out our articles below, or swap tips with other parents in our forum.

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