Ah, childcare in the UK. Quite the minefield, isn’t it? With the government’s current plans for many children to receive 30 hours of funded childcare by September 2025, it can feel a little bit of a minefield to know what you’re currently eligible for in terms of funded hours. In this post we’ll share a rundown of what to expect for different age groups.
We’ve used the term ‘funded’ here, as opposed to ‘free’. We say this because many nurseries will charge supplementary fees on top of your paid childcare hours. You will also need to apply for your childcare hours to be funded, as opposed to immediate access.
All childcare eligibility is dependent on your household income, your child’s age, your employment status (employed, self-employed or director), and your immigration status.
If you, or your partner, are individually expected to earn over £100,000 in the tax year, you will not be eligible. As it currently stands, the UK government state that you must be earning the following amounts as a minimum to qualify:
“Over the next 3 months you and your partner (if you have one) must each expect to earn at least:
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£2,380 before tax if you’re aged 21 or over (equivalent to £183 per week)
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£1,788 before tax if you’re aged 18 to 20 (equivalent to £137 per week)
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£1,331 before tax if you’re under 18 or an apprentice (equivalent to £102 per week)”
If you are self employed, you can work out an average of your monthly earnings over the tax year.
In terms of immigration status, the UK government states:
“To be eligible for free childcare for working parents, you (and your partner if you have one) must have a National Insurance number.
The person who applies must also have at least one of the following:
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British or Irish citizenship
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settled or pre-settled status, or you have applied and you’re waiting for a decision
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permission to access public funds - your UK residence card will tell you if you cannot do this”
From the term after your child turns 9 months old and/or from the term after your child’s 2nd birthday
Until September 2025, you may be eligible for 15 hours of funded childcare in term-time per week. Some nurseries only allow this to be taken in term-time. Some nurseries allow you to stretch this funding year-round, reducing the overall weekly allocation. Check with your provider to find out.
After September 2025, you may be eligible for 30 hours of funded childcare in term time. Some nurseries allow you to stretch this funding year-round, reducing the overall weekly allocation. Check with your provider to find out.
From the term after your child’s 3rd birthday
From the term after your child turns 3 until they reach 5, you may be eligible for 30 hours of funded childcare hours in term-time. Some nurseries allow you to stretch this funding year-round, reducing the overall weekly allocation. Check with your provider to find out.
You may be entitled to more than this
If you are eligible for state benefits, you may also be eligible for childcare for children over two from a separate government scheme. View more on this here.
For further information on benefits you might claim if you don’t fit the eligibility criteria for funded childcare, click here.
Still not sure where you stand?
Head to the Government’s website to check your personal eligibility.
