The UK government has significantly expanded free childcare provision for working parents in recent years. By September 2024, eligible working parents could access 30 free hours per week for children from 9 months old up to school age. These changes represent potentially thousands of pounds in savings for families with young children. However, the eligibility rules are specific and the application process has strict deadlines.
What Free Childcare Is Available in 2026?
Universal 15 free hours per week applies to ALL 3 and 4 year olds, regardless of employment status or household income — available for 38 weeks per year (term-time only unless your provider offers stretched). Additional 15 hours (making 30 hours/week) is available to working parents with 3 and 4 year olds. Working parents with children from 9 months to 3 years also now receive 15 hours free. All working parents (from 9 months to school age) are entitled to 30 hours per week from September 2024 onwards, subject to eligibility.
- All 3-4 year olds: 15 hours/week free (universal, no income test)
- Working parents with 3-4 year olds: 30 hours/week free
- Working parents with children 9 months – 3 years: 15-30 hours free
- Available for 38 weeks/year (term-time) or stretched to 52 weeks
- Eligible parents of 2 year olds: 15 hours (if on certain benefits or low income)
Who Counts as a 'Working Parent'?
To qualify for the 30 hours or the expanded 15 hours for under 3s, each parent must earn at least the equivalent of 16 hours per week at National Minimum Wage — which in 2026 means earning at least £183/week or approximately £9,518/year. This applies to both parents in a couple (both must earn this minimum). If one partner earns over £100,000 (adjusted net income), they become ineligible for the additional hours. If you're self-employed, you count the earnings you expect to make.
- Each parent must earn at least 16 hours × NMW per week
- 2026 threshold: approximately £183/week or £9,518/year each
- Both parents in a couple must meet this threshold
- Upper income limit: if either parent earns over £100,000 adjusted net income
- Self-employed: use expected earnings
- On maternity/paternity/adoption/parental leave: still eligible
How to Apply for Free Childcare
Apply through the government's childcare portal at childcarechoices.gov.uk or via your personal tax account at gov.uk. You'll receive an eligibility code that you give to your childcare provider. Apply early — codes must be given to providers before the start of each term. You reconfirm eligibility every 3 months. If you miss a reconfirmation deadline, your code may expire and you could lose the benefit for that term. Apply for the term starting: January — apply by 31 December; April — apply by 31 March; September — apply by 31 August.
- Apply at childcarechoices.gov.uk
- Receive 11-digit eligibility code to give to your provider
- Reconfirm eligibility every 3 months
- Apply before term deadlines (Dec 31, Mar 31, Aug 31)
- Allow up to 7 days for code to come through
Tax-Free Childcare: The 20% Top-Up
Alongside free hours, Tax-Free Childcare is a government scheme where for every £8 you pay into your childcare account, the government adds £2 — effectively a 20% top-up. You can receive up to £2,000/year per child (£4,000 for disabled children). This is NOT the same as the free hours — it's additional help for childcare costs above the free entitlement, including holiday clubs, breakfast clubs, after-school care, and nannies. Both parents in a couple must meet the same working/income requirements as for free hours.
- Government adds 20% (£2 for every £8 you pay in)
- Maximum top-up: £2,000/year per child (£4,000 for disabled children)
- Works for: nursery fees, after-school clubs, holiday clubs, registered nannies
- Cannot be used alongside childcare vouchers (if you still have these)
- Apply at childcarechoices.gov.uk
Can I use both 30 free hours and Tax-Free Childcare?
Yes. You can use the 30 free hours for your childcare and pay remaining costs through a Tax-Free Childcare account to get the government top-up.
My provider charges extra on top of the free hours. Is that allowed?
Providers can charge for additional services (meals, nappies, extra sessions) but cannot charge top-up fees for funded hours. If they say you must pay extra to access funded hours, this may not be lawful.
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