Free childcare is one of the most valuable benefits available to UK families with young children — and one of the most commonly unclaimed. The scheme has expanded significantly in recent years, and many parents are not aware of how many hours they are entitled to or how to access them. Given that childcare costs are among the largest expenses for families with young children, understanding and claiming what you are entitled to can make a substantial difference to your household budget.
What free childcare is available?
The UK government offers free childcare hours through approved providers including nurseries, childminders, and some school holiday schemes. As of 2024, the entitlement has been expanded as follows: all three and four year olds are entitled to 15 hours per week of free childcare during term time. Working parents of three and four year olds can access an additional 15 hours per week, totalling 30 hours. From September 2024, working parents of children aged nine months to two years were also becoming eligible for free hours in a phased rollout — check the current government guidance for the latest position.
Who qualifies for the extended 30 hours?
The 30-hour entitlement for working parents requires that both parents (or the sole parent in a single-parent household) are working and each earning at least the equivalent of 16 hours per week at the National Living Wage. There is also an income cap: if either parent earns more than £100,000 per year, they are not eligible for the extended hours. If your circumstances change, you should update your childcare account accordingly.
How to apply
You apply for your free childcare code online at childcarechoices.gov.uk. You will need a Government Gateway account. Once approved, you receive a code to give to your childcare provider, who registers it to claim the funded hours on your behalf. You need to reconfirm your eligibility every three months to keep the code active — if you miss a reconfirmation window, your code may lapse.
Tax-Free Childcare
Separately from free hours, Tax-Free Childcare allows eligible working parents to receive a government top-up of 20 per cent on childcare costs, up to £500 per child per quarter (or £1,000 for a disabled child). You open an online childcare account, pay in, and the government adds 20p for every 80p you contribute. This can be used alongside free hours or on its own.
Check what your local providers offer
Free hours are delivered by registered providers, and availability varies by area. Some providers charge additional fees for consumables, meals, or hours beyond the free entitlement. It is worth contacting providers in your area to understand exactly what is covered by the funded hours and what may incur additional cost.
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Ask Fin provides general guidance only. Childcare entitlements and eligibility rules change frequently. Always check the current position at childcarechoices.gov.uk.