Who is Eligible for 30 Hours Free Childcare from September 2025?
From September 2025, working parents in England can access up to 30 hours of free childcare for children aged 9 months and older.
This extended support aims to ease the financial pressure of childcare and enable more parents to return to or remain in work.
The scheme covers 38 weeks of the year and is only available to those who meet the specific criteria based on income, employment, and residency. Understanding who qualifies and how to apply is key to ensuring you receive the full entitlement.
What is 30 Hours Free Childcare in England?
The 30 Hours Free Childcare scheme is a government-funded programme that helps working parents reduce the cost of early years education. It allows eligible families in England to access up to 30 hours of free childcare each week for children aged between 9 months and 4 years.
This support is available during term time, 38 weeks a year, and is provided through registered and approved childcare settings such as nurseries, childminders, schools, and playschemes.
Key features include:
- Aimed at working parents
- Covers 30 hours weekly for 38 weeks
- Applies from age 9 months up to school age
- Delivered by registered providers only
The scheme is designed to promote work participation while supporting child development in quality learning environments.
When It’s Rolling Out?
The full rollout of the expanded 30 Hours Free Childcare scheme begins in September 2025. Currently, only some age groups benefit from the 15-hour entitlement.
Starting from September 2025, all eligible working parents with children aged 9 months to school age will be able to claim the full 30 hours each week.
Applications can begin once your child is 23 weeks old, but eligibility for hours starts the term after your child turns 9 months. This change is being introduced in phases to ensure childcare providers have the time and resources to accommodate the additional children.
Why Has the Government Extended Free Childcare to Younger Children?
The government’s expansion of the free childcare scheme reflects the increasing need for accessible and affordable childcare solutions for working families in the UK.
Until recently, only children aged 3 and 4 were eligible for 30 hours of free childcare, leaving a significant gap for younger children and their parents.
The key reasons for this extension include:
- Supporting parents returning to work after maternity or paternity leave
- Reducing childcare costs during the early developmental stages
- Encouraging female workforce participation
- Enhancing early learning outcomes for children from a younger age
- Helping low and middle-income families balance work and family life
Parents of younger children often face high childcare costs, which can prevent them from working or force them into part-time roles.
By providing free hours from 9 months onward, the government aims to give families more flexibility while helping the economy benefit from a more active workforce.
This initiative is also seen as a step toward more inclusive childcare policies, recognising the modern family’s diverse needs and the importance of early childhood education.
Who Is Entitled to 30 Hours Free Childcare?
To qualify for the 30 hours of free childcare from September 2025, both parents (or a single parent in a single-parent household) must meet specific criteria related to employment and income. You must be working or due to start a job, and your income must fall within certain thresholds.
Eligibility Criteria Include:
- Both parents (or one in a single-parent home) must be in paid work
- Each must earn at least:
- £2,539 over 3 months if 21 or older
- £2,080 if aged 18–20
- £1,570 if under 18 or an apprentice
- Adjusted net income must be below £100,000 annually
- You must live in England
- Your child must live with you and be at least 9 months old
- You must have a National Insurance number
- Self-employed parents must provide a Unique Taxpayer Reference (UTR)
You may still be eligible if one partner is working and the other receives Carer’s Allowance or certain disability-related benefits.
The scheme is designed to be inclusive but is not available if your household relies solely on benefits or exceeds the income threshold.
What Are the Age Criteria and Circumstances for Eligible Children?
The number of free childcare hours you receive depends on the age and circumstances of your child. From September 2025, children from 9 months to 4 years will be eligible if their parents meet the scheme’s criteria.
Eligibility starts the term after your child turns 9 months old, and it continues until they reach school age.
Special provisions apply for:
- Foster children (must apply via local authority)
- Children receiving extra support or with disabilities
Age and Eligibility Overview
| Child’s Age | Eligible Hours per Week | Conditions |
| 9 months – 2 years | 30 hours (from Sep 2025) | Parents meet income and work criteria |
| 2 – 3 years | 30 hours | With extra support + working parent |
| 3 – 4 years | 30 hours | Standard eligibility applies |
This extended access aims to include families with the youngest children and provide continuity of care before school begins.
How Long Can Children Receive This Support Until?
Children will continue to receive 30 hours of free childcare until they start full-time school, usually at the beginning of the school year after their 4th birthday.
The hours cover 38 weeks per year during term time, but many providers offer options to stretch the hours across more weeks at reduced daily hours.
The entitlement stops when your child enters reception class, which is considered the start of statutory education in England. You must reconfirm your eligibility every three months to ensure continued access.
If at any point your circumstances change and you no longer qualify, a grace period may apply, giving you temporary access to the hours while you adjust.
How and When Should Parents Apply for the 30 Hours Childcare?
Applying for 30 hours of free childcare involves a multi-step process that starts once your child turns 23 weeks old. To receive the entitlement, parents must apply through the Childcare Choices website.
Application Steps
- Check your eligibility using the online calculator
- Set up a childcare account via the Childcare Choices portal
- Submit your application online
- Provide your National Insurance number
- If self-employed, include your UTR number
- On approval, you’ll receive an 11-digit code
- Share this code with your childcare provider
Important Timing Notes
- Apply at least 3 months before the term starts
- You must reconfirm your details every 3 months
- If you’re starting a new job, your start date affects eligibility
The process is designed to be straightforward, but it’s crucial to meet the deadlines. If you miss the cut-off, you may need to wait until the next term to claim the hours. Always keep your account updated and retain copies of all documents.
What Happens If Your Employment or Family Circumstances Change?
Your eligibility for the 30 hours free childcare depends on your current employment status and income level, so any changes to your situation can impact your entitlement.
However, the system is designed to accommodate fluctuations without immediately ending your access to free hours.
Key scenarios that could affect eligibility:
- Losing your job or a reduction in working hours
- Switching jobs or going self-employed
- Taking maternity, paternity, adoption, or shared parental leave
- Receiving certain disability or carer’s benefits
- A partner moving in or out of the household
What you need to know:
- If you lose your job, you may continue to receive free childcare during a grace period
- The grace period usually lasts until the end of the current term or for up to 3 months
- You must reconfirm your eligibility every 3 months via your childcare account
- Temporary changes like sick leave or reduced hours may not affect your eligibility immediately
Keeping your childcare account updated is vital. If your circumstances change, log in promptly and follow any instructions to avoid interruptions to your child’s care.
How Does the Scheme Apply to Parents Already Receiving 15 Hours?
Parents who are currently receiving 15 hours of free childcare for their 3- or 4-year-old will see an automatic increase to 30 hours from September 2025, provided they meet the eligibility criteria. This includes being in paid work and earning under £100,000 per year in adjusted net income.
You do not need to reapply for the scheme if you’re already using the 15-hour entitlement. However, you must:
- Confirm your details are current
- Reconfirm your eligibility every 3 months through your childcare account
- Provide the 11-digit code to your childcare provider
This process ensures that parents already receiving some support can transition smoothly into the extended offer, reducing the administrative burden while increasing access to more hours.
What Costs Are Covered and Not Covered by the 30 Hours Free Childcare?
The 30 hours of free childcare cover only the basic care and early education provided by a registered childcare provider. However, there are still some costs parents might need to pay depending on the provider’s services.
What’s covered vs. what’s not:
| Covered by the Scheme | Not Covered |
| Basic childcare hours | Meals and snacks |
| Early years learning sessions | Nappies and personal supplies |
| Access to registered nurseries | Optional extra-curricular activities |
| Supervised indoor/outdoor play | Trips and special events |
Childcare providers must not charge for the free hours, nor should they ask for top-up fees or non-refundable deposits just for using the government-funded childcare.
However, optional costs may apply if you choose additional services. It’s best to ask your provider for a detailed breakdown of any charges before enrolling your child.
What Support Is Available for Families with Extra Needs?
The 30 hours free childcare scheme has additional layers of support for families with special circumstances or needs.
If your child or family requires extra assistance, you may be eligible for additional hours or tailored support, especially for children aged 2 to 3.
Who qualifies for extra support:
- Families receiving Universal Credit with income below £15,400 (after tax)
- Children with an Education and Health Care Plan (EHCP)
- Children receiving Disability Living Allowance
- Children adopted or under special guardianship or child arrangement orders
In these cases, you may receive 15 hours of additional support, which combines with the 15 hours from the standard working parent scheme, giving you a total of 30 hours per week.
How to apply:
- Speak with your local authority’s Early Years team or Family Information Service
- They will guide you through the application, which is separate from the Childcare Choices platform
This support ensures that children with developmental, emotional, or physical needs receive consistent care while allowing parents to work or seek employment without interruption.
Are There Regional Differences in Free Childcare Across the UK?
While this guide focuses on England, it’s important to note that childcare schemes differ across the UK. Each country within the UK sets its own policies regarding early years education, and eligibility may vary.
In Scotland, parents can access up to 1,140 hours per year of funded early learning and childcare for 3- and 4-year-olds, and some 2-year-olds. In Wales, the Childcare Offer provides 30 hours per week for 3- and 4-year-olds of working parents.
Northern Ireland offers a different system entirely, primarily based on funded preschool education for one year before starting school.
Therefore, families moving between UK nations or living near a border should check their local authority’s rules. The 30 hours scheme in England is not transferrable to other parts of the UK. It applies only if you live in England and use an approved childcare provider located there.
Conclusion
The 30 hours free childcare scheme launching fully in September 2025 is a significant step forward for working families in England.
It provides crucial financial relief, encourages workforce participation, and supports early childhood development from as young as 9 months.
Eligibility depends on employment status, income, and residency, with support tailored to meet varying family needs.
With clear guidelines and a structured application process, parents can prepare in advance to ensure a smooth transition into the programme. Staying informed and proactive is key to unlocking this valuable childcare support.
FAQs About 30 Hours Free Childcare Eligibility
Can non-British citizens apply for 30 hours free childcare?
Yes, if they have settled or pre-settled status and permission to access public funds, they may be eligible.
How do foster parents apply for the scheme?
Foster parents must contact their local authority or social worker, as they cannot use the online application process.
Do I need to apply again if I’m moving to a different provider?
No, but you must inform the new provider and give them your 11-digit eligibility code and National Insurance number.
What documentation is required during the application process?
You need your National Insurance number, your child’s birth details, and your Unique Taxpayer Reference if self-employed.
How often must I reconfirm my eligibility status?
Every three months, you must log in to your childcare account to confirm your details and maintain eligibility.
Can I claim Universal Credit and 30 hours childcare at the same time?
No, you can only claim one, either Tax-Free Childcare or Universal Credit Childcare support.
What happens if both parents apply for the same child?
HMRC will assess both applications and decide who is eligible to receive the childcare code.
Read Next:
If I Pay Child Maintenance Should I Pay for Anything Else?
UK Government to Reform Child Benefit Claims from Abroad to Save £350 Million
Disability Living Allowance for Children | Eligibility, Rates, and How to Apply
Child Benefit Payment Dates 2025 UK | When Will You Get Paid?
