Parents of all 3-4 year olds in England are entitled to 15 hours free childcare, but many are entitled to 30 hours, and some parents of 2 year olds are also entitled to free childcare. Learn all you need to know about free childcare, including how many hours you can get and how to apply.

This page contains affiliate links, which means we may earn a small amount of money if a reader clicks through and makes a purchase. All our articles and reviews are written independently by the Netmums editorial team.

Childcare costs can be financially crippling for many families. That's why 15 or 30 hours' free childcare for three and four-year-olds – and some two year-olds – are a huge help for working parents.

Here's what you need to know:

Includes:

• What is free early education and childcare?
• Will my child be eligible for 15 hours' free childcare?
• Will my child be eligible for 30 hours' free childcare?
• Entitlements in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland
• How do I get the 30 hours' free childcare?
• Where can I get 30 free hours' childcare?
• When can I start using free childcare?
• How can I use the free 30 hours?
• Do I have to pay anything to get the free hours?
• What if I work and need more childcare hours than this?
• What about free childcare for 2-year-olds? Is my child eligible for this?
• Find out more

What is free early education and childcare?

All children aged three or four years old who live in England are entitled to 15 hours of free early years education or childcare per week. Many are entitled to a full 30 hours per week.

This can usually only be taken during term time – so 38 weeks a year – and works out as 570 free hours per year, or 1,140 free hours every year for those entitled to the full 30 hours.

Childcare providers don't have to provide the free hours, though. Most will provide the 15 free hours, but many don't provide the full free 30 hours. If you can, it's best to start your childcare search early, to increase your chances of getting a place.

Will my child be eligible for 15 hours' free childcare?

Yes, all 3-4 year olds in England are eligible for 15 hours' free childcare per week (see below for info on Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland). It doesn't matter whether you're working or not, or how much you earn.

Childcare providers don't have to provide this service, but most do.

Will my child be eligible for 30 hours' free childcare?

If you live in England, and your child is 3-4 years old, you may be entitled to an extra 15 hours (bringing the total up to 30 hours of free childcare per week), if:

• Over the next three months, you expect to earn more than the equivalent of 16 hours per week at minimum wage (currently about £140 a week for over 25s)
• You must each earn less than £100,000 a year. (Although a family with an annual household income of £199,998 would be eligible if each parent earns just under £100,000.)
• You must have a child who is aged 3 or 4 when the scheme starts.

However, during the coronavirus pandemic, these rules have been relaxed slightly for some.

If you're receiving support though the government's Job Support Scheme (JSS) and extended Self-Employed Income Support Scheme (SEISS) , then from November 1st you will continue to receive 30 free hours, even if your earnings dip below the threshold temporarily while you're on the scheme.

If you're married or living as a couple, the above points apply to both parents. Which means if one parent doesn't work, your child wouldn't qualify for the extra 15 free nursery hours.

Only one parent can claim on the behalf of one child. If you and your child's other parent are separated, you'll need to decide which one of you will apply. If not, you can both apply and HMRC will decide which one of you will get the childcare account.

You can still claim the free childcare if you're taking sickness, parental, maternity, paternity or adoption leave, provided the parental leave isn't for the same child as the childcare. This includes if you're having to stay at home due to coronavirus.

You can also claim the free childcare if your partner is working and you're claiming Incapacity Benefit, Severe Disablement Allowance, Carer’s Allowance or Employment and Support Allowance, and expect to start work within the next 31 days.

More details on eligibility are available on the government website .

Entitlements in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland

If you live in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland, this is currently what you're entitled to:

• Scotland : All 3 and 4-year-olds are entitled to up to 600 hours of free childcare a year (around 16 hours per week in term time).
• Wales : During termtime, 3 and 4-year-olds may get up to 10 hours a week of early education and 20 hours a week of childcare, depending on your local authority.
• Northern Ireland : 3 and 4-year-olds get a funded preschool place - usually at least two-and-a-half hours of free childcare every day during term time.

How do I get the 30 hours' free childcare?

30 hours of free childcare was introduced from 1 September, 2017 for children in Ofsted-registered childcare, over the age of three.

However, some childcare facilities may choose to opt out of offering this, so even if your child is eligible, your childcare setting doesn't have to offer the full 30. Check with them before you try to claim.

If your childcare provider does offer the full 30 hours then you can find out if you're eligible and apply now on the government website .

It will take around 20 minutes to do the application and you'll need the following to do it:

• your national insurance number
• taxpayer reference (if you're self-employed)
• details of any government support you get to hand.

The application will then be reviewed by HMRC who will contact you with a code and further instructions, once processed.

Where can I get 30 free hours' childcare?

If they choose to offer 30 hours, free early years education places are available from lots of different registered childcare providers including:

• Preschools
• Playgroups
• Childminders who are part of an accredited network
• Day nurseries
• Private nursery schools
• Maintained nursery schools
• Nursery classes attached to primary schools
• Sure Start children's centres

All of the free early education providers have to meet Government standards, be inspected by Ofsted and help children progress towards the Early Years Foundation Stage ‘early learning goals'.

Whatever childcare you choose, they'll all be meeting these goals, so you can be sure your child will be getting a good start.

If you already have childcare in place, ask your provider if they offer the free hours. If they don't, or you aren’t currently using any childcare, contact your local Family Information Service (FIS) for a list of providers in your area who do.

When can I start using free childcare?

The free early education sessions are available in the term following your child's third birthday. They last until your child reaches the statutory school age. Here's when you can claim your free hours:

• If your child turns three between January and March , you can claim from the beginning of the term that begins on or after 1 April . It's recommended that you apply between January and February .
• If your child turns three between April and August , you can claim from the beginning of the term that begins on or after 1 September . It's recommended that you apply between June and July .
• If your child turns three between September and December , you can claim from the beginning of the term that begins on or after 1 January . It's recommended that you apply between October and November.

How can I use the free 30 hours?

There are a few guidelines laid down by the government:

• Each session must be no longer than 10 hours
• They can't be used in sessions that start before 6am or end after 8pm.
• They can be divided between two different childcare providers if needed. For example if you put your child into nursery and also use a childminder. However, you can't use them at more than two places in one day.
• Sessions can happen any day of the week, including weekends

Be aware that different childcare providers might offer the 30 hours within set times and sessions. You'll need to speak to them for more details.

Do I have to pay anything to get the free hours?

No. Your childcare provider shouldn't charge you for any of the free 30 hours.

However, they're entitled to charge you if you want extra hours and sessions.

Speak to your individual childcare provider to find out more.

What if I work and need more childcare hours than this?

If you're working, the current free entitlement is not likely to cover all of your childcare needs. But you may be eligible for extra financial help with the costs of childcare from the childcare element of Working Tax Credit or Employer Supported Childcare, such as childcare vouchers .

Visit the Coram Family and Childcare website for more information.

You can also ask your childcare provider if they are able to ‘stretch’ your free entitlement over more than 38 weeks of the year.

The free entitlement is usually offered as 30 hours per week for 38 weeks of the year. In some areas you can use fewer hours per week over more weeks of the year. For example, you may be able to use just over 11 hours per week for 50 weeks of the year.

Ask your childcare provider or your local Family Information Service if this is an option.

What about free childcare for 2-year-olds? Is my child eligible for this?

Some 2-year-olds are eligible for a funded place if their parents claims any of the following:

• Income Support.
• Income-based Jobseekers Allowance (JSA)
• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
• Support through part 6 or section 4 of the Immigration and Asylum Act
• Universal Credit , if your household income is no more than £15,400 a year after tax (not including benefit payments)
• Tax credits, if your household income is no more than £16,190 a year before tax
• The guaranteed element of Pension Credit
• The Working Tax Credit 4-week run on (the payment you get when you stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit)

A child is also eligible if they:

• Are looked after by a local council.
• Have a current statement of special education needs (SEN) or an education health and care plan.
• Receive Disability Living Allowance.
• Have left care under a special guardianship order, child arrangements order or adoption order.

To find out if your child is eligible, contact your local council.

Find out more

For further information about free early education in England, contact your local Family Information Service.

You can also find local nurseries , childminders and playgroups in your area.

If you have questions about how free childcare may be affected by coronavirus, you can find the answers on the government website .

Wondering what other support is available, or have more questions? Check out our articles below, or swap tips with other parents in our forum.

Related stories

Tax-free childcare explained

CHAT: 30 hours' free childcare query

Getting help with your childcare costs