Check UK Eligibility 🇬🇧
🇬🇧 UK Family · Updated June 2026

🧒 Free Childcare

Working parents in England can get 15 to 30 hours of free childcare per week for children aged 9 months to 4 years, depending on your child's age and your working hours. Additionally, Tax-Free Childcare (TFC) allows you to save up to £2,000/year (£4,000 for disabled children) through a government top-up on childcare costs.

Up to 30 hrs/week free
Benefit amount
Family
Category

Do you qualify?

You may qualify for 30 free hours if your child is 3–4 years old (or 9 months to 2 for expanded eligibility) and you (and your partner) each earn at least £167/week and no more than £100,000/year. All 3–4 year olds get 15 free hours regardless of parental income.

Universal 15 hoursAll 3 and 4 year olds in England. No income requirement.
30 hours3–4 year olds. Both parents must work at least 16 hrs/week at NMW (approx £167/week). Max income £100,000/year.
Expanded 15 hours2-year-olds with working parents (phased expansion from April 2024).
Tax-Free ChildcareWorking parents earning under £100,000/year. Cannot receive Tax Credits or Universal Credit childcare element at the same time.
Universal CreditUC childcare element covers up to 85% of childcare costs — often better than Tax-Free Childcare for lower earners.

How much you could get

Universal 15 hours: all 3–4 year olds. 30 hours: 3–4 year olds with working parents (min. £167/week each, max. £100,000/year). Expanded 15 hours: 2-year-olds with working parents from Sept 2024. Tax-Free Childcare: for every £8 you pay in, the government adds £2 (up to £500/quarter, £2,000/year per child). Cannot be used at the same time as childcare vouchers from employers.

How to apply — step by step

1

Apply for your childcare code at gov.uk/get-childcare

For 30 hours or Tax-Free Childcare, apply through the Childcare Service at gov.uk/get-childcare using your Government Gateway account. You'll receive a childcare code valid for 3 months.

2

Give your code to your childcare provider

Your nursery, childminder, or after-school club will use your code to claim the funding from the government.

3

Reconfirm every 3 months

You must reconfirm your eligibility every 3 months at gov.uk/get-childcare or you'll lose your free hours.

4

Consider Tax-Free Childcare vs Universal Credit

If you receive Universal Credit, compare the UC childcare element (85% of costs) against Tax-Free Childcare (20% top-up). UC is usually better for lower earners — you cannot claim both.

5

Check if your provider is registered

Free hours can only be used at Ofsted-registered providers. Check your provider is registered before booking.

Apply on GOV.UK →

Need help while you wait for a decision?

Frequently asked questions

What if I'm self-employed and my income varies?
Self-employed parents can claim 30 hours if they expect to earn at least £167/week on average over the next 3 months. If you're just starting out, you're treated as meeting the income threshold for the first year.
Can I use free hours and Tax-Free Childcare together?
Yes — but only to cover different hours. Your 15 or 30 free hours cover the free entitlement. Tax-Free Childcare can be used to pay for additional hours beyond the free entitlement at the same provider.
What's better — Tax-Free Childcare or Universal Credit childcare?
For lower earners, Universal Credit childcare element (covering 85% of costs up to a cap) is usually better than Tax-Free Childcare (which gives 20% back). You cannot claim both. Use a benefits calculator to compare.
My child has a disability — do I get more?
Disabled children can get 15 free hours from age 2 (under the disability criterion) regardless of parental income. Tax-Free Childcare doubles to £4,000/year (£500 top-up per quarter) for disabled children.
What happens in school holidays?
Free hours can be stretched over fewer weeks to cover holidays (e.g., using 22 hours/week for 38 weeks = 836 hours/year). Agree 'stretched' entitlement with your provider before the year starts.