Free childcare for three and four-year-olds

We’ll guide you through the free childcare options available for three- and four-year-olds, so you know what support you can get.

Is everyone entitled to free childcare for three to four-year-olds?

Yes — all 3- and 4-year-olds in England are entitled to 15 hours of free early education or childcare each week, which works out at 570 hours per year over a typical 38-week term.

If you qualify under the “working parents” rules, you may be eligible for up to 30 hours per week for 38 weeks of the year. There are conditions for the 30-hour entitlement: both (or the sole) parent must usually be working, there’s a household income limit (neither you nor your partner can expect adjusted net income above £100,000), and you’ll need to apply for an eligibility code from HMRC.

You can also spread the hours differently (i.e. fewer hours per week over more weeks) if your childcare provider offers that flexibility.

How do I get 30 free hours a week?

To get the extra 15 hours (making 30 in total) under the Free Childcare for Working Parents scheme in England, you need to meet all of the following:

• Your child is aged between 9 months and 4 years old, and you live in England.
• You (and your partner, if you have one) are working or about to start work.
• You (and your partner) each expect to earn at least the equivalent of 16 hours per week at the National Minimum Wage or National Living Wage.
• Neither you nor your partner expect to have an adjusted net income over £100,000 in the current tax year.

When eligible, you apply via GOV.UK, get an eligibility code, and give it to your childcare provider.

What restrictions or important things to know

Here are key points and restrictions for the free childcare hours for 3- and 4-year-olds in England:

• The childcare must be with an approved childcare provider.
• Free hours stop when your child starts reception class (or reaches compulsory school age if that’s later).
• You can begin claiming from when your child is 9 months old if you meet the criteria for the working parents scheme.

If not eligible for 30 hours, all 3- and 4-year-olds are still entitled to 15 hours per week over 38 weeks.

How do the rules differ in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales?

Scotland

All 3- and 4-year-olds are entitled to 1,140 hours per year of funded early learning and childcare. That works out to around 30 hours a week during term-time. There are no work or earnings requirements for 3- to 4-year-olds in Scotland for those hours.

Wales

The Childcare Offer for Wales gives some 3- and 4-year-olds up to 30 hours a week of free early education and childcare. This is made up of at least 10 hours of early education plus up to 20 hours of childcare. To get the full offer (30 hours), there are eligibility rules: each parent (or single parent) must usually be working and have gross income not more than £100,000. Some exceptions apply if you are in education or training.

Northern Ireland

Free preschool education is available in nursery schools, primary schools with a nursery class, and in some private and voluntary providers. It is generally available in the year before a child enters Primary One.