how many free hours of childcare​

Finding quality childcare that fits your budget can feel overwhelming. Parents across England face rising costs whilst trying to balance work and family life. The good news? The UK government offers various funded childcare schemes that could reduce your expenses.

Understanding exactly how many free hours of childcare you can access depends on your child's age, your working status, and your household income. This guide breaks down everything you need to know about government-funded childcare support in 2024 and 2025.

Understanding Free Hours of Childcare in England

From September 2024, 15 hours childcare support extends to eligible working parents with children from nine months old, with this expanding to 30 hours from September 2025. The system has been designed to support families at different stages.

The framework provides several pathways:

• Universal Entitlement: All three and four year olds in England are entitled to 570 hours free early education or childcare per year. This breaks down to 15 hours per week during term time (38 weeks).
• Working Parent Entitlement: Eligible families with working parents can access up to 30 hours per week, doubling the support available.
• Support for Disadvantaged Families: Some two-year-olds qualify for 15 hours based on household circumstances, such as receiving Universal Credit with earnings under £15,400 annually.

Little Mowgli Nursery in Leyland accepts all government funding schemes, making quality early years education accessible to families across Lancashire.

How Many Free Childcare Hours by Age Group

Children Aged Nine Months to Two Years

Working parents with babies and toddlers can now access government support much earlier than before. Eligible working parents of children aged at least nine months in England can now get 15 hours of childcare support per week during term time, which is 38 weeks a year.

From September 2025, this expands to 30 hours per week for eligible working families. This represents a major shift in early years support, recognising that childcare costs hit families hardest during infancy.

Application timing matters. If you return to work between 1 May 2025 and 30 September 2025 you will have to wait until 1 April to apply with a deadline of 31 August. Planning ahead helps ensure your funding starts when you need it.

Two-Year-Olds

Two different pathways exist for two-year-olds:

From April 2024, eligible working parents of two-year-olds get a new offer of 15 free hours per week of free childcare. This applies if both parents work (or the sole parent in single-parent families) and meet income requirements.

Separately, disadvantaged two-year-olds qualify for 15 hours regardless of parental employment. Eligibility includes families receiving certain benefits, children with Education Health and Care Plans, or those who have left care under adoption orders.

Three and Four-Year-Olds

The longest-standing scheme remains the most widely used. Every three and four-year-old child in England qualifies for 15 hours free childcare per week. No application is needed for these universal hours at Little Mowgli Nursery or other registered providers.

Working parents of three and four-year-olds can claim an additional 15 hours, bringing their total to 30 hours weekly. This extended entitlement requires an application and confirmation of working status.

Children can start their funded place from the term after their third birthday. Terms begin on 1 January, 1 April, and 1 September each year.

Eligibility Requirements for Working Parents

Getting 30 hours free childcare requires meeting specific criteria. Parents working between the equivalent of 16 hours a week at National Minimum Wage and £100,000 adjusted net income may be eligible for 30 hours of funded childcare.

Here is what you need to qualify:

• Working Requirements: Both parents in a couple must work (or the sole parent in single-parent families). From April 2025, this means earning £195 per week or £10,158 a year, which equals 16 hours at National Minimum Wage.
• Income Cap: Neither parent can have an adjusted net income exceeding £100,000 in the current tax year.
• Residency: You must be a UK resident.
• National Insurance: Both parents need National Insurance numbers.

The system accommodates different working patterns. Parents on zero-hours contracts, those who are self-employed, or people with fluctuating incomes can all qualify. The government looks at average earnings over the tax year.

You remain eligible during statutory maternity, paternity, adoption leave, or sick pay. If one parent works whilst the other receives certain disability benefits or carer's allowance, you can still claim.

How to Apply for Free Childcare Hours

The application process happens entirely online through your government childcare account. You can apply for 30 hours of free childcare from when your child is 23 weeks old.

Visit the government's Best Start in Life website to check your eligibility and create an account. You'll need your National Insurance number, details about your working hours and income, and your child's birth certificate information.

Once approved, you receive an 11-digit code proving your eligibility. Share this code with your chosen childcare provider - such as Little Mowgli Nursery - who will verify it with the local authority.

Application Deadlines Matter

To start funded childcare in September, apply by 31 August. For January start dates, apply by 31 December. Missing these deadlines means waiting until the next term begins.

Reconfirmation Every Three Months

Your work continues after initial approval. The government requires you to reconfirm your details every three months. Log into your childcare account to update information about your working status and income.

Failing to reconfirm on time can result in losing your funded hours. Set reminders on your phone or calendar to avoid missing these dates.

Using Your Free Hours Flexibly

The funded hours offer more flexibility than many parents realise. Whilst the standard model provides hours over 38 weeks (term time), you can stretch this differently with provider agreement.

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. This helps families needing year-round care.

For example, instead of 30 hours weekly for 38 weeks, you could use roughly 22 hours weekly across 52 weeks. The total hours remain the same (1,140 annually), but the distribution changes.

Speak with your nursery about their flexibility. Some providers offer stretched funding whilst others stick to term-time patterns. Little Mowgli Nursery works with families to find arrangements that suit their schedules.

Additional Costs and Funding Restrictions

Free hours cover early education and childcare, but providers can charge for extras. Understanding these permitted charges helps avoid surprises.

What Providers Cannot Charge For

Nurseries cannot add top-up fees when providing government-funded hours. The funding rate paid to providers should cover the childcare itself.

Permitted Additional Charges

Providers can charge separately for:

• Meals and snacks
• Nappies and wipes
• Optional activities or trips
• Care beyond the funded hours
• Early drop-off or late pick-up

Providers must be transparent about these costs. Request an itemised breakdown showing your funded hours separately from additional charges.

If charges seem unclear or excessive, contact your local authority's childcare information service for guidance.

Combining Free Hours with Other Support

Parents can stack different types of childcare support to maximize assistance.

Tax-Free Childcare: This separate scheme allows you to deposit money into a government account. Parents can get up to £500 every three months to help with the cost of childcare, or up to £1,000 every three months if a child is disabled.

For every £8 you pay in, the government adds £2. This tops up to £2,000 yearly per child (£4,000 for disabled children). You can use Tax-Free Childcare alongside free hours to cover additional hours, meals, or other costs.

Universal Credit Childcare Support: If you receive Universal Credit, you might claim back up to 85% of childcare costs. You cannot combine this with Tax-Free Childcare.

Grace Periods: If you lose eligibility for the extended entitlement - perhaps due to job loss - funding continues for a grace period. This gives you time to find new employment without immediately losing your childcare place.

What Happens from September 2025

The childcare landscape changes again in September 2025. Support will reach 30 hours for eligible working parents with a child from nine-months-old up to school age.

This represents the full rollout of the government's expanded childcare programme. Working parents with children from nine months through to school entry can access the same 30-hour entitlement previously available only to three and four-year-olds.

The phased rollout aims to ensure sufficient nursery places and trained staff exist to meet demand. Providers across England have been preparing facilities and recruiting staff to accommodate the expansion.

Finding Registered Childcare Providers

Your free hours must be used with registered childcare providers. This includes nurseries, childminders registered with Ofsted, and school-based nursery classes.

Little Mowgli Nursery in Leyland is a registered provider accepting all government funding schemes. Our small, community-focused setting welcomes children from three months old, offering both Tigers and Giraffes rooms alongside our outdoor learning space.

Search for local providers through your council's Family Information Service or the government's Best Start in Life website. Check Ofsted ratings, visit settings in person, and ask about their approach to funded hours.

Not all providers offer the same flexibility around stretching hours or additional services. Finding the right match for your family takes time.

Common Questions About Free Hours

Can I Use Free Hours at Multiple Settings?

Yes, you can split funded hours between different providers. For example, you might use a childminder three days weekly and a nursery two days weekly. Share your eligibility code with each provider and ensure the total hours claimed don't exceed your entitlement.

What If My Provider Stops Offering Funded Places?

Providers can limit the number of funded places they offer to remain financially sustainable. If your chosen nursery cannot accommodate funded-only hours, your local authority's childcare team can help you find alternative provision.

Do I Need to Reapply Each Year?

No, you reconfirm your eligibility every three months rather than submitting a new application annually. As long as you remain eligible and reconfirm on time, your entitlement continues.

Can Grandparents Care for My Child Using Free Hours?

Informal childcare arrangements with family members don't qualify for government funding. Grandparents would need to register as approved childminders to receive funded hours, which involves Ofsted registration and meeting specific requirements.

Making the Most of Your Entitlement

Understanding your entitlement helps you plan childcare costs accurately. Here is how to maximise your support:

1. Apply Early: Don't wait until you need childcare to apply. Complete applications at least three months before your ideal start date.
2. Check Local Availability: Popular nurseries like Little Mowgli Nursery can have waiting lists. Register your interest early even if your child isn't yet eligible.
3. Budget for Extras: Remember that funded hours might not cover all your childcare needs. Account for meals, additional hours, and other charges when planning your budget.
4. Keep Documentation Updated: Ensure your Government Gateway account details stay current. Changes in employment, income, or circumstances must be reported promptly.
5. Communicate with Your Provider: Discuss your needs openly with your chosen nursery. They can explain their policies around funded hours and help you understand what's included.

Supporting Your Child's Early Years Journey

Government-funded childcare aims to support children's development whilst helping families manage costs. Quality early years education during these years shapes future learning.

At Little Mowgli Nursery, funded hours support our play-based curriculum and nature-inspired learning approach. Children explore indoors and outdoors, developing confidence, independence, and curiosity about the world around them.

Whether you're eligible for 15 hours or 30 hours, making informed choices about early years provision sets your child up for success. Research your options, understand your entitlement, and choose settings that align with your family values.

The system can seem complicated initially, but thousands of families successfully navigate funded childcare each year. Take it step by step, ask questions when unclear, and don't hesitate to contact your local authority for support.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many free childcare hours can working parents get in 2025?

Working parents in England can access 30 hours of free childcare weekly from September 2025 for children aged nine months through to school age. This covers 1,140 hours annually, typically spread over 38 weeks during term time. Both parents must work the equivalent of 16 hours weekly at National Minimum Wage and earn under £100,000 adjusted net income yearly to qualify.

Do all three-year-olds automatically get free childcare?

Yes, all three and four-year-olds in England qualify for 15 hours of free childcare weekly regardless of household income or parental employment status. This universal entitlement starts from the term after the child's third birthday and continues until they start reception class. No application is needed - your chosen nursery or preschool handles the registration automatically using your child's birth certificate.

Can I use my free childcare hours year-round?

Funded hours can be used year-round if your provider agrees to stretch them. Instead of 30 hours weekly over 38 weeks, you might take approximately 22 hours weekly across 52 weeks. The annual total remains 1,140 hours but distributed differently. Not all nurseries offer this flexibility, so discuss options with your chosen provider when enrolling your child.

What happens if I lose my job after getting 30 hours funding?

A grace period protects your childcare if you lose eligibility for extended hours. Funding continues temporarily whilst you search for new employment, preventing immediate disruption to your child's care. The exact length varies, so check with your local authority. You must still reconfirm your details every three months during this period and notify the government of employment changes promptly.

Are free childcare hours truly free or are there hidden costs?

Government-funded hours cover childcare and early education without top-up fees. Providers can charge separately for consumables like meals, nappies, optional activities, and care beyond funded hours. Request an itemised invoice showing funded hours separately from additional charges. If costs seem unclear, contact your local authority's childcare information service for guidance and clarification about permitted charges.

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