All 3 to 4 year-olds in England can get 570 free hours per year. It’s usually taken as 15 hours a week for 38 weeks of the year. Some 3 to 4-year-olds are eligible for 30 hours of free childcare a week. Check if you’re eligible and find out how to apply. You can get it from the term after your child’s 3rd birthday, starting on 1 January, 1 April or 1 September.
You may have to pay for extra costs such as:
- meals
- nappies
- additional hours
- additional activities, such as trips - please refer to our consumable charges for costs
Check if you're eligible for Government funding
The amount of free childcare you can get depends on:
- your child’s age and circumstances
- whether you’re working (employed, self-employed, or a director)
- your income (and your partner’s income, if you have one)
- your immigration status
You will not be eligible if either:
- your child does not usually live with you
- you or your partner have an expected adjusted net income of over £100,000 in the current tax yearf you’re working
You can usually get free childcare for working parents if you (and your partner, if you have one) are:
- in work or starting a new job
- on sick leave or annual leave
- on shared parental, maternity, paternity or adoption leave
If your child is 9 months to 2 years old
Children aged 9 months to 2 years old currently get 15 hours of free childcare per week for 38 weeks of the year. From September 2025 this will increase to 30 hours per week.
If this is you, please choose your sessions and complete the 30hrs child care sessions form - please note, we will only be able to secure your place once we have recieved the allocated code
If your not currently working Your 2-year-old can get free childcare if you live in England and get any of the following benefits:
- Income Support
- income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
- income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
- Universal Credit, and your household income is £15,400 a year or less after tax, not including benefit payments
- the guaranteed element of Pension Credit
If this is you, please choose your sessions and complete the 2yr old funding child care form.
