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How can working parents get 15 and 30 hours of free childcare? How can working parents get 15 and 30 hours of free childcare?
(about 11 hours later)
Eligible working parents of children from nine months old can now apply for 30 hours of free childcare a week in England from September. Eligible working parents in England can now apply to get 30 hours of free childcare a week for children aged nine months and older from September.
The government hopes the scheme will get more parents back to work, but there are serious concerns about the number of staff and places needed. The government hopes expanding free childcare will get more parents back to work, but there are serious concerns about the number of staff and places needed.
Free childcare arrangements vary in other parts of the UK.Free childcare arrangements vary in other parts of the UK.
How expensive is UK childcare?How expensive is UK childcare?
The average cost of full-time nursery (50 hours a week) for a child under two in England is £12,425 in 2025.The average cost of full-time nursery (50 hours a week) for a child under two in England is £12,425 in 2025.
That's a fall of 22% from 2024, according to the Coram Family and Childcare charity, as the government funded hours scheme expands. That's down 22% from 2024, according to the Coram Family and Childcare charity, reflecting the recent expansion of government-funded hours.
Wales is the most expensive place in Great Britain for under-twos, at £15,038.Wales is the most expensive place in Great Britain for under-twos, at £15,038.
The cost of a full-time place for three and four-year-olds went up in all three nations. The cost of a full-time place for three and four-year-olds went up in England, Scotland and Wales.
How does free childcare in England work?How does free childcare in England work?
In England, all three and-four year olds are eligible for 15 hours of government funded childcare, regardless of their parents working status. In England, all three and-four year olds are eligible for 15 hours of government-funded childcare, regardless of their parents' working status.
Other help is also available, but this depends on the age of your child and whether you are working or receiving certain benefits. Other help is also available, but it depends on the age of the child and whether the parents are working or receiving certain benefits.
Working parents , externalcan get:Working parents , externalcan get:
15 hours of childcare paid for by the government for children aged between nine months and 23 months old (increasing to 30 hours in September 15 hours of funded childcare for children aged between nine months and 23 months old (increasing to 30 hours in September)
30 hours of childcare paid for by the government for three and four-year-olds30 hours of childcare paid for by the government for three and four-year-olds
To qualify for the new hours, the majority of parents must earn more than £9,518, external, but less than £100,000 per year.To qualify for the new hours, the majority of parents must earn more than £9,518, external, but less than £100,000 per year.
Those on certain benefits can get:Those on certain benefits can get:
15 hours of free childcare for two-year-olds15 hours of free childcare for two-year-olds
If you do not work, you might still be eligible for 30 hours of free childcare if your partner works, or you receive some benefits (for example maternity or paternity leave). Parents who do not work might still be eligible for 30 hours of free childcare if their partner works, or they receive some benefits - for example they are on maternity or paternity leave.
UK government: Childcare choices, externalUK government: Childcare choices, external
UK government: Childcare calculator, externalUK government: Childcare calculator, external
How do you apply for 15 or 30 hours of free childcare?How do you apply for 15 or 30 hours of free childcare?
Parents can apply for 15 hours of childcare from when their child is 23 weeks old, and for 30 hours once their child is two years and 36 weeks old. Parents can apply for:
The entitlement starts at the beginning of the term after your child reaches the qualifying age. 15 hours of childcare once their child is 23 weeks old
30 hours once their child is two years and 36 weeks old
The entitlement starts at the beginning of the term after the child reaches the qualifying age.
The government website has details of the deadlines to apply for each age group., externalThe government website has details of the deadlines to apply for each age group., external
Free childcare hours are designed to be used over 38 weeks of the year - during school term time.Free childcare hours are designed to be used over 38 weeks of the year - during school term time.
However, some providers will stretch them over 52 weeks if you use fewer hours per week. However, some providers will stretch them over 52 weeks if children use fewer hours per week.
What is not covered by the free childcare hours? What is not covered by the free childcare hour funding?
The government is increasing the hourly rate it pays childcare providers offering free hours. The government has increased the hourly rate it pays childcare providers offering free hours.
But in many cases, this rate does not cover the full cost of the childcare. So, some providers charge for extras like meals, nappies, sun cream or trips. But in many cases, this rate does not cover the full cost of the childcare, and some providers charge for extras like meals, nappies, sun cream or trips.
According to research from the Pregnant Then Screwed charity, almost a quarter (23%) of parents it surveyed said they couldn't afford to access free childcare hours because of top-up fees., externalAccording to research from the Pregnant Then Screwed charity, almost a quarter (23%) of parents it surveyed said they couldn't afford to access free childcare hours because of top-up fees., external
In February, the Department for Education (DfE) wrote to nurseries saying parents should be able to opt out of paying for these extras, "to ensure no family is priced out". In February 2025, the Department for Education (DfE) wrote to nurseries saying parents should be able to opt out of paying for these extras, "to ensure no family is priced out".
However, some providers say they use these payments to subsidise the cost of the free hours for three and four-year-olds. More than 5,000 nurseries have signed an open letter to the DfE asking for the new rules to be delayed. However, some providers say they use these payments to subsidise the cost of the free hours for three and four-year-olds. More than 5,000 nurseries signed an open letter to the DfE asking for the new rules to be delayed.
The lack of affordable childcare is a barrier for many people hoping to workThe lack of affordable childcare is a barrier for many people hoping to work
Are there enough childcare places?Are there enough childcare places?
The DfE says an additional 35,000 staff and 70,000 places will be required to meet demand by September 2025. The DfE said an additional 35,000 staff and 70,000 places will be needed to meet demand by September 2025, when the free hours increase.
The education regulator Ofsted has warned that access to childcare in England has declined since 2020 and improvements have not been evenly spread across the country. The number of childcare places had already risen by 44,400 between 2023 and 2024, according to DfE figures.
But the education regulator Ofsted has warned that these have not been evenly spread across the country.
The number of childminders - those providing early years care in private homes - has decreased.
A government scheme offering a cash incentive of £600 or £1,200 to new childminders ended in March.
On average, so-called "childcare deserts", external have lower household incomes and higher levels of deprivation than other areas.On average, so-called "childcare deserts", external have lower household incomes and higher levels of deprivation than other areas.
The government offered a cash incentive of £600 to those who become childminders (or £1,200 for those joining via an agency) which ended in March.
Childcare staffing rose by 6% across 2024 as a whole, external, however the number of childminders - those providing early years care in homes - has continued to decrease.
While the latest data from the Office for National Statistics shows the total population of zero to five-year-olds fell by 1% per year from 2018 to 2022, the number of childcare places increased by 44,400 between 2023 and 2024, according to DfE figures.
Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said early years had been her "priority from day one". However, nursery bosses argue the government's updated funding rates for 2025 will not offset rising costs.Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said early years had been her "priority from day one". However, nursery bosses argue the government's updated funding rates for 2025 will not offset rising costs.
The Early Years Alliance charity said about 185 nurseries of 1,100 it surveyed said they were "likely" to withdraw from the scheme within the next 12 months "due to unsustainable financial pressures".The Early Years Alliance charity said about 185 nurseries of 1,100 it surveyed said they were "likely" to withdraw from the scheme within the next 12 months "due to unsustainable financial pressures".
In April, the government announced the first 300 school-based nurseries, external, which it says will provide 4,000 extra places by September 2025.In April, the government announced the first 300 school-based nurseries, external, which it says will provide 4,000 extra places by September 2025.
What childcare help is available in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland?What childcare help is available in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland?
All three and four-year-olds and some two-year-olds in Scotland are entitled to 30 hours a week of funded childcare during term time (or 22 hours a week if used across the year), external, regardless of their parents' working status. Scotland
Eligible parents in Wales can get 30 hours of childcare for three and four-year-olds, external, and the government says it is expanding support for two-year-olds. All three and four-year-olds and some two-year-olds are entitled to 30 hours a week of funded childcare during term time (or 22 hours a week if used across the year), external, regardless of their parents' working status.
The Northern Ireland Childcare Subsidy Scheme (NICSS) , externalprovides a 15% discount on childcare to qualifying working parents with pre-school-age children. The scheme will be extended to include primary school-age children from September. Wales
Eligible parents can get 30 hours of childcare for three and four-year-olds, external, and the government says it is expanding support for two-year-olds.
Northern Ireland
The Northern Ireland Childcare Subsidy Scheme (NICSS) , externalprovides a 15% discount on childcare to qualifying working parents with pre-school-age children.
The scheme will be extended to include primary school-age children from September.
How does tax-free childcare work?How does tax-free childcare work?
Parents may be entitled to other support, including the UK-wide tax-free childcare scheme, external.Parents may be entitled to other support, including the UK-wide tax-free childcare scheme, external.
For every £8 you pay into an online childcare account, the government adds £2 (up to £2,000 per child per year, or £4,000 for disabled children). For every £8 paid into an online childcare account, the government adds £2 (up to £2,000 per child per year, or £4,000 for disabled children).
You can use the money to pay for approved childcare, for example: Parents can use the money to pay for approved childcare, for example:
Childminders, nurseries and nannies childminders, nurseries and nannies
After-school clubs and play schemes after-school clubs and play schemes
Your childcare provider must be signed up to the scheme. The childcare provider must be signed up to the scheme.
Parents who qualify for free childcare hours can save in the tax-free scheme as well.Parents who qualify for free childcare hours can save in the tax-free scheme as well.
How much is child benefit worth and who can claim it?How much is child benefit worth and who can claim it?