Free childcare
What is free childcare?
The government is providing more childcare for working families.
Families may receive up to 15 or 30 hours of their child’s care free for up to 38 weeks a year. Whether you get 15 or 30 depends on the child’s age and your situation.
It equates to 570 or 1,140 hours over 38 weeks. You have the option to 'stretch' the offer across more weeks of the year by taking fewer hours per week.
To find out what you can get right away, use Best start in Life. This is the government eligibility checker:
Best start in Life eligibility checker
You can also apply for tax-free childcare to help with your costs.
How to apply
The application process and the organisation you apply to will vary depending on your child's age and your circumstances.
Types of free childcare
1. Childcare for working families
9 months to 4 years old
Working parents may be able to get up to 30 hours of free childcare a week.
You may be eligible if:
- you live in England
- both parents work at least 16 hours a week
- both parents earn at least the minimum wage
- neither parent earns more than £100,000 a year
How to apply
- go to Best Start in Life to check if you are eligible
- apply with HMRC and get an 11-digit code
Find out more:
When to apply
Apply for your code before these deadlines to start receiving childcare from the beginning of the next term:
- 31 March for summer term starts
- 31 August for autumn term starts
- 31 December for spring term starts
Reconfirm your eligibility every 3 months
Already have a code? You must reconfirm your eligibility every 3 months. Sign in to your GOV.UK childcare account and follow the instructions in your messages.
2. Childcare for all families (universal entitlement)
3 to 4 year olds
If your child is 3 or 4 years old, you can get 15 hours of free childcare each week. This continues until they start school. You don’t need to apply for this yourself.
How to apply
- find a childcare provider that is registered with Ofsted
- show them your child’s birth certificate or passport
- the childcare provider will apply on your behalf
- the Council will pay them for your free hours
To find a childcare provider, visit ESCIS, the Council’s database for community listings.
ESCIS – Find a childcare provider
To apply for a place, speak to your chosen childcare provider.
3. Childcare for Early Learning for 2-year-olds
The Early Learning for 2-year-olds offer provides 15 hours of free childcare a week for eligible children aged 2.
You may be eligible if:
- you receive certain benefits, including Universal Credit
- your child is looked after or adopted from care
- your child has an EHC plan or receives DLA
- you have a non-UK immigration status and cannot claim benefits
Once approved, the funding continues until your child turns 3, even if your circumstances change.
How to apply
You need to apply for this funding through the local authority. To check if you're eligible, or to start your application:
- go to our Parent Portal
- we will give you a 6-character code
- find childcare that is Ofsted-registered and give them your code
- we pay them directly
4. Childcare for foster carers
If your foster child is two years old, they already get 15 hours a week of free childcare for Early Learning for 2-year-olds.
After that, all 3 to 4-year-olds get 15 hours a week of free childcare. Foster carers can boost this to 30 hours a week if they have extra paid work or have a fostering commitment.
For example:
- You’re a sole foster carer and have a paid job
- You’re a couple; both work and foster
How to apply
If your child’s social worker approves, you can apply to us when your child is 16 weeks away from turning 3.
We will give you a code and tell your child’s social worker. You must give the code to an approved childcare provider.
Is it really free?
The childcare hours must be free. Your childcare provider might ask you to pay for optional extras like:
- food
- nappies and wipes
- activities or trips
These must be optional. If you do not want to pay for them, your provider should agree on an alternative with you. You can still get the free childcare if you do not pay for any optional extras.
When can you start receiving free childcare?
0 to 8 months old:
- no free childcare available
9 to 23 months old:
- up to 30 hours a week, for eligible working families
2 years old:
- 15 hours a week through Early Learning for 2-year-olds (EL42)
- up to 30 hours a week for eligible working families
3 to 4-year-olds:
- 15 hours a week for all children (universal entitlement)
- up to 30 hours a week for eligible working families
When to apply for free childcare
Your child can’t start on their birthday. There are three start dates each year:
- Autumn Term: September to December
- Spring Term: January to March
- Summer Term: April to August
How to apply
Apply and get approved first.
Your child can start the term after they become eligible.
- 9 months can start the term after they turn 9 months old.
- 2 years and over can start the term after their birthday, provided they are eligible.
Example: If your child turns 3 in September, apply in the autumn term and they can start in January (spring term).
Tip: Apply at least one month before the term starts to allow time for your application to be processed.
What if I need extra hours?
If you need more hours at nursery or with your childminder, ask them to give you non-funded hours. You will need to pay their regular price for these extra hours.
How do I get free childcare in the school holidays?
Many childcare providers, like nurseries and childminders, are open all year. If yours is, they may offer the option to stretch your free childcare hours across more than 38 weeks. The overall number of hours does not change. A stretched offer covers more weeks by providing fewer hours per week.
Can I get free childcare if my child has a delayed start to Reception?
School-aged children
Some schools start in September. If your child’s start date for a Reception class is later than the set term dates, you can’t claim any early years funding.
If the staggered start causes a childcare problem, you will need to discuss this with the school. Free hours are available to families who have delayed their child’s school place. This is available until the child reaches statutory school age (5 years old).
Children who access a free place in a school nursery do not get guaranteed admission to the school. You must apply for a place at the school if you want your child to transfer to the reception class.
Questions you can ask a childcare provider
Choosing a childcare provider is an important decision. Before you accept a place, ask how funded childcare works at the setting.
We've put together some questions you could ask when you're making your decision:
Need help?
Contact us if you have any questions:
- Email: Family Information Service
- Phone: 0345 60 80 192, 10am to 3pm, Monday to Friday
