UK 30 Hours Free Childcare: Eligibility and Use

The 30 Hours Free Childcare scheme in England provides funded childcare hours for eligible working parents. The rollout has been expanding to younger children since 2024. This article covers the current eligibility, how to apply, and how the funded hours are typically used.

Funded hours and the 38-week year

30 funded hours per week applies during term time, totalling 1,140 hours per year. Many providers spread the hours across the full year (typically as 22 hours per week over 51 weeks), reducing weekly hours but allowing year-round use. The provider's approach affects how the funded hours interact with other paid hours.

Eligibility

Both parents (or the sole parent) must be working, earn the equivalent of at least 16 hours per week at National Minimum Wage, and neither earn above GBP 100,000 per year. Self-employed parents are eligible subject to the earnings test. Eligibility is reconfirmed every three months through the GOV.UK childcare service.

Expanding age eligibility

The scheme has been expanded since 2024 to cover younger children for eligible working parents. The current GOV.UK page sets out the age bands currently in force. Funded hours have historically applied to all 3 and 4 year olds regardless of working status for a smaller weekly amount (15 hours).

Application and confirmation

Application is via the GOV.UK childcare service. Successful applicants receive an eligibility code to give to their chosen childcare provider. Codes must be confirmed by specified deadlines each term to ensure funded hours are available.

Interaction with Tax-Free Childcare

30 Hours Free Childcare and Tax-Free Childcare can be used together. The application processes are linked: a single GOV.UK childcare account confirms eligibility for both. The combined value materially reduces childcare cost for many eligible households.

Funded hours and the 38-week year in detail

30 funded hours per week applies during term time (38 weeks per year), totalling 1,140 hours per year per eligible child. The term-time-only structure reflects the historical school-related model of childcare funding.

Many providers stretch the hours across the full year (typically as 22 hours per week over 51 weeks), reducing weekly hours but allowing year-round use. The provider's approach affects how the funded hours interact with paid hours. For families needing full-time year-round childcare, the stretched arrangement is typically more practical.

The stretched model means a family using a nursery 5 days per week year-round gets 22 hours per week funded plus paid hours for the remainder. A family using term-time-only childcare gets 30 hours per week funded during term and pays for any childcare in school holidays.

Each provider sets its own approach to funded hours; some are term-time-only, some are stretched, some offer both options. The decision affects the family's monthly childcare cost and the choice of provider may depend on which structure fits the family's needs.

The 30 hours is the maximum; families can use fewer funded hours if they prefer (such as 20 hours with a paid top-up to 25 hours). The funded hours have to be used at registered providers participating in the scheme; not all providers participate, particularly some smaller settings.

Eligibility in detail

Both parents (or sole parent) must be working, earn the equivalent of at least 16 hours per week at National Minimum Wage (currently GBP 11.44 from April 2024 for over 21s), and neither can earn above GBP 100,000 per year. Self-employed parents are eligible subject to the earnings test. Parents starting self-employment within the previous 12 months have specific eligibility provisions.

Eligibility is reconfirmed every 3 months through the GOV.UK Childcare Service. The reconfirmation is straightforward (typically a few minutes online) but missing the reconfirmation window can end the entitlement. Setting a calendar reminder or using the service's email reminders prevents lapse.

Parents on parental leave remain eligible during the leave period. Parents in receipt of certain benefits (such as Carer's Allowance) may be eligible even if not meeting the earnings test. The specific rules are on GOV.UK.

Parents who do not meet the eligibility test (such as one parent earning above GBP 100,000) lose access to the 30 hours scheme entirely. The universal 15 hours scheme (for all 3 and 4 year olds regardless of working status) remains available; it provides 570 funded hours per year, half the 30 hours funded amount.

Expanding age eligibility (2024-25 rollout)

The scheme has been expanded since April 2024 to cover younger children for eligible working parents. The rollout phases:

From April 2024: eligible working parents of children aged 2 can access 15 hours of funded childcare per week (570 hours per year).

From September 2024: eligible working parents of children aged 9 months and over can access 15 hours of funded childcare per week.

From September 2025: the entitlement for children aged 9 months to school age expands to 30 hours per week for eligible working parents, completing the rollout.

The current GOV.UK page sets out the age bands currently in force. The rollout has been complex with childcare providers needing to expand capacity to meet the additional demand; some areas have faced challenges in providing places for all eligible children.

For children aged 3 and 4 of working parents not meeting the eligibility test, the universal 15 hours scheme applies (570 hours per year). This has historically applied to all 3 and 4 year olds regardless of working status for a smaller weekly amount.

Application and confirmation in detail

Application is via the GOV.UK Childcare Service. The parent creates an account, provides employment and income details, and receives an eligibility code if the application is approved. The code is given to the chosen childcare provider, who uses it to claim the funded hours from the local authority.

Codes must be confirmed by specified deadlines each term to ensure funded hours are available for the next term. The deadlines are typically 31 March (for summer term), 31 August (for autumn term), and 31 December (for spring term). Missing the deadline means the funded hours are not available until the next term.

The application can be made up to 1 term before the child becomes eligible for the funded hours. Most parents apply 1 to 3 months before the child's eligibility date. The code is valid from the date specified, not the date of application.

Some childcare providers do not participate in the scheme. The provider needs to be on the local authority's list of approved providers; not all registered providers participate. Confirming the provider participates before assuming the funded hours will be available is essential.

For parents with multiple children at the same provider, separate codes apply for each eligible child. The provider claims the funded hours for each child individually.

Interaction with Tax-Free Childcare in detail

30 Hours Free Childcare and Tax-Free Childcare can be used together. The application processes are linked: a single GOV.UK Childcare Service account confirms eligibility for both. The combined value materially reduces childcare cost for many eligible households.

The combined effect: a child receives 30 funded hours per week; any additional childcare beyond the funded hours can be paid using Tax-Free Childcare. For a family using 50 hours per week of childcare, 30 hours are funded and 20 hours are paid with Tax-Free Childcare top-up.

The financial example: 20 paid hours per week × GBP 6 per hour = GBP 120 per week, or GBP 6,240 per year. Tax-Free Childcare on this amount provides GBP 1,560 of government top-up (assuming under the GBP 2,000 cap per child). The combined saving compared to paying for all 50 hours without funding is substantial.

Disclaimer

This article provides general information based on rules and figures published by UK government and regulator sources as of May 2026. It is not personal financial, legal, immigration or tax advice. Rules, fees and figures change and individual circumstances vary. Readers should check primary sources or consult a qualified, regulated adviser before acting on any information here.

Frequently asked questions

What if one parent loses their job?

Eligibility ends if either parent stops working. A grace period typically applies, allowing the funded hours to continue for a defined period after eligibility ends (usually until the end of the current term). After the grace period, the universal 15 hours entitlement applies for 3 and 4 year olds; younger children lose all funded hours unless eligibility is restored. Reapplying once employment resumes is straightforward.

Can the funded hours be used at multiple providers?

Yes. The hours can be split across more than one provider, up to the weekly cap. Some families use a combination such as nursery 3 days per week and childminder 2 days per week. Each provider claims the appropriate proportion of the funded hours. The split arrangement is typically managed by the parent in coordination with both providers.

Is breakfast, lunch, or nappies included in the funded hours?

The funded hours cover the childcare itself. Providers can charge for meals, snacks, and consumables; the GOV.UK guidance requires these charges to be clearly listed in the provider's documentation. Some providers include meals; others charge GBP 3 to GBP 8 per day for food. Comparing the total cost (funded hours plus consumable charges) between providers gives the fair comparison.

Does the funded scheme apply in Scotland, Wales, or Northern Ireland?

The 30 hours scheme is specific to England. The devolved nations have their own funded childcare schemes with different ages and hours. Scotland's Funded Early Learning and Childcare offers 1,140 hours per year for eligible 3 and 4 year olds. Wales' Childcare Offer provides 30 hours per week (combining funded early education and childcare for working parents). Northern Ireland has Pre-School Education Programme places.

How is eligibility reconfirmed?

Every 3 months, the parent must log into the GOV.UK childcare account and confirm continued eligibility. Failing to reconfirm can end the funded entitlement. The reconfirmation typically takes a few minutes. The service sends email reminders before the reconfirmation deadline; checking the registered email regularly catches the reminder.

Can grandparents acting as childminders use the 30 hours scheme?

Only if registered as childminders with Ofsted (or devolved equivalent). Informal grandparent care does not qualify for the funded hours. Some grandparents do register as childminders specifically to care for their grandchildren under the funded scheme; this requires the standard registration process including DBS checks and training.

Can the funded hours be used for school-age children's holiday childcare?

The 30 hours scheme is for pre-school children. School-age children's holiday childcare can be paid with Tax-Free Childcare at registered holiday clubs. The Holiday Activities and Food programme provides funded holiday provision for school-age children eligible for free school meals.

Frequently asked questions

What if one parent loses their job?

Eligibility ends if either parent stops working. A grace period typically applies, allowing the funded hours to continue for a defined period after eligibility ends (usually until the end of the current term). After the grace period, the universal 15 hours entitlement applies for 3 and 4 year olds; younger children lose all funded hours unless eligibility is restored. Reapplying once employment resumes is straightforward.

Can the funded hours be used at multiple providers?

Yes. The hours can be split across more than one provider, up to the weekly cap. Some families use a combination such as nursery 3 days per week and childminder 2 days per week. Each provider claims the appropriate proportion of the funded hours. The split arrangement is typically managed by the parent in coordination with both providers.

Is breakfast, lunch, or nappies included in the funded hours?

The funded hours cover the childcare itself. Providers can charge for meals, snacks, and consumables; the GOV.UK guidance requires these charges to be clearly listed in the provider's documentation. Some providers include meals; others charge GBP 3 to GBP 8 per day for food. Comparing the total cost (funded hours plus consumable charges) between providers gives the fair comparison.

Does the funded scheme apply in Scotland, Wales, or Northern Ireland?

The 30 hours scheme is specific to England. The devolved nations have their own funded childcare schemes with different ages and hours. Scotland's Funded Early Learning and Childcare offers 1,140 hours per year for eligible 3 and 4 year olds. Wales' Childcare Offer provides 30 hours per week (combining funded early education and childcare for working parents). Northern Ireland has Pre-School Education Programme places.

How is eligibility reconfirmed?

Every 3 months, the parent must log into the GOV.UK childcare account and confirm continued eligibility. Failing to reconfirm can end the funded entitlement. The reconfirmation typically takes a few minutes. The service sends email reminders before the reconfirmation deadline; checking the registered email regularly catches the reminder.

Can grandparents acting as childminders use the 30 hours scheme?

Only if registered as childminders with Ofsted (or devolved equivalent). Informal grandparent care does not qualify for the funded hours. Some grandparents do register as childminders specifically to care for their grandchildren under the funded scheme; this requires the standard registration process including DBS checks and training.

Can the funded hours be used for school-age children's holiday childcare?

The 30 hours scheme is for pre-school children. School-age children's holiday childcare can be paid with Tax-Free Childcare at registered holiday clubs. The Holiday Activities and Food programme provides funded holiday provision for school-age children eligible for free school meals.