Last updated: 4 November 2026. Rules for the 2026/27 tax year. Free hours details are for England unless stated.
For many families, childcare is the biggest monthly bill after rent or the mortgage. It can be so high that some parents wonder whether going back to work is even worth it.
The good news is that there’s more help than ever, especially in England, where working parents can now get free hours from when their baby is 9 months old. The tricky part is that every scheme has different rules, and you have to apply (and reconfirm) for most of them yourself.
This guide explains the main types of help, who qualifies, and how to combine them.
Quick overview
| Help | Who it’s for | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| 15 hours (universal) | All 3 and 4 year olds in England | 15 hours a week, 38 weeks a year |
| 15 hours for some 2 year olds | Families on certain benefits or low incomes | 15 hours a week, 38 weeks a year |
| 30 hours for working parents | Working parents of children from 9 months to school age | Up to 30 hours a week, 38 weeks a year |
| Tax-Free Childcare | Working parents of children up to 11 (16 if disabled) | £2 for every £8 you pay, up to £2,000 a year per child (£4,000 if disabled) |
| Universal Credit childcare | Working parents on Universal Credit | Up to 85% of your childcare costs back, up to a monthly limit |
Source: GOV.UK. Check Childcare Choices for full details.
30 hours free childcare for working parents (England)
Since September 2025, working parents in England can get up to 30 hours a week of funded childcare for children aged 9 months up to when they start school.
Who qualifies: according to GOV.UK, you and your partner (if you have one) usually need to:
- Work, or be about to start work, and each expect to earn at least the equivalent of 16 hours a week at the National Minimum Wage or National Living Wage over the next 3 months. For people aged 21 and over, that’s about £203.36 a week in 2026/27
- Each have an adjusted net income no more than £100,000 a year
- Live in England
There are exceptions, for example if one parent is on sick leave, parental leave, or gets certain disability or carer benefits. Check GOV.UK.
Things to know:
- The hours are for 38 weeks a year (term time). Many nurseries let you “stretch” them across the year, which gives fewer hours a week (roughly 22 a week over 52 weeks)
- Funded hours cover the childcare, but nurseries can charge for extras like meals, nappies or activities. Ask for a breakdown
- You get a code to give to your provider, and you must reconfirm every 3 months, or you can lose your place
- Apply early. You can apply from when your child is 6 months old (or up to 16 weeks before the term you want to start)
The £100,000 trap: if one parent’s adjusted net income goes over £100,000, you lose both the 30 hours and Tax-Free Childcare. Paying more into a pension (especially through salary sacrifice) can bring your income back under the limit. See my £100k tax trap guide and salary sacrifice pension calculator.
15 free hours for all 3 and 4 year olds
Every 3 and 4 year old in England can get 15 hours a week of free early education for 38 weeks a year, whatever your income or work status. It usually starts the term after their third birthday.
If you’re working and eligible, this combines with the working parent hours to make 30.
15 hours for some 2 year olds
Some 2 year olds get 15 free hours if the family gets certain benefits, such as Universal Credit (with household earnings under a set limit), or if the child has an EHC plan, gets Disability Living Allowance, or has left care. Ask your local council.
Tax-Free Childcare
Tax-Free Childcare helps with the cost of approved childcare, such as nurseries, childminders, after-school clubs and holiday clubs.
According to GOV.UK:
- For every £8 you pay into your online childcare account, the government adds £2
- That’s up to £500 every 3 months (£2,000 a year) for each child
- Or up to £1,000 every 3 months (£4,000 a year) if your child is disabled
- It’s available until 1 September after your child’s 11th birthday (16th if disabled)
- The work and income rules are similar to the 30 hours: you each need to expect to earn at least the minimum (about £203.36 a week if you’re 21 or over) and no more than £100,000 each
- You must reconfirm every 3 months
Example: if your childcare costs £400 a month, you pay £320 into your account and the government adds £80. Over a year, that’s £960 of help.
Can I use it with the free hours? Yes. You can use Tax-Free Childcare to pay for hours on top of your free hours, and for wraparound care and holiday clubs once your child is at school.
But you can’t use it with:
- Universal Credit childcare help
- Childcare vouchers from your employer (closed to new joiners since 2018)
Universal Credit childcare help
If you get Universal Credit and you’re working (or have a job offer), you can claim back up to 85% of your childcare costs, up to a monthly limit for one child and a higher limit for two or more. Check GOV.UK for the current limits.
- You usually pay the provider first and then report the cost in your UC account
- You can now get help upfront with the first month’s childcare costs when you start work or increase your hours, in some cases. Ask your work coach
- The childcare must be from a registered provider
UC or Tax-Free Childcare? You can’t have both. If you’re on UC, the 85% support is usually worth more, but it depends on your costs. Use the Childcare Choices calculator on GOV.UK, or a benefits calculator, to compare.
Other help
- Wraparound childcare: the government has been expanding before and after school care for primary school children in England. Ask your school or council what’s available.
- Holiday activities: the Holiday Activities and Food programme offers free holiday clubs with meals for children who get benefits-related free school meals.
- Students: students can get Childcare Grants and Parents’ Learning Allowance. Check Student Finance.
- Employer support: some employers offer workplace nurseries through salary sacrifice, which can save tax and National Insurance.
Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland
The free hours schemes are different outside England:
- Scotland: 1,140 hours a year of funded early learning and childcare for all 3 and 4 year olds and eligible 2 year olds
- Wales: the Childcare Offer gives up to 30 hours for eligible working parents of 3 and 4 year olds, plus Flying Start in some areas
- Northern Ireland: different schemes, including a Childcare Subsidy Scheme
Tax-Free Childcare and Universal Credit childcare apply across the UK.
Is it worth going back to work?
Once you add up childcare, travel and work costs, it can look like you’re working for very little. But remember:
- Childcare costs usually fall as your child gets older and free hours start
- You keep building your pension and career
- Many families get more help than they expect once they claim everything
My nursery vs work calculator shows how much you’d keep after childcare, and my parental leave pay calculator helps if you’re still on leave.
Ways to cut childcare costs further
- Apply for every scheme you qualify for, and set reminders to reconfirm every 3 months.
- Compare providers: childminders can be cheaper than nurseries, and some are more flexible.
- Ask what the nursery charges for extras with funded hours.
- Use Tax-Free Childcare for holiday clubs and after-school clubs.
- Share care: flexible working, staggered hours, or help from family.
- Check your tax code and Child Benefit are right. See my Child Benefit guide.
- Use salary sacrifice to stay under £100,000 if you’re close to the limit.
Childcare costs: people also ask
Who gets 30 hours free childcare?
Working parents in England of children aged 9 months to school age, where each parent expects to earn at least 16 hours a week at the minimum wage (about £203.36 a week if 21 or over) and adjusted net income no more than £100,000 a year.
How does Tax-Free Childcare work?
You pay money into an online account and the government adds £2 for every £8, up to £2,000 a year per child (£4,000 if disabled). You use it to pay approved childcare.
Can I get Tax-Free Childcare and 30 hours?
Yes. You can use Tax-Free Childcare to pay for extra hours and other approved childcare on top of your free hours.
Can I get Tax-Free Childcare on Universal Credit?
No. You have to choose between Tax-Free Childcare and Universal Credit childcare help.
Do I need to reapply for free childcare?
You need to reconfirm your details every 3 months for both the 30 hours and Tax-Free Childcare, through your childcare account.
When can I apply for free childcare for my baby?
You can usually apply from when your child is 6 months old, so the funding can start at 9 months.
Summary
- England: 30 hours for working parents from 9 months, and 15 universal hours for all 3 and 4 year olds.
- Tax-Free Childcare: £2 for every £8, up to £2,000 a year per child.
- Universal Credit: up to 85% of childcare costs back. You can’t combine it with Tax-Free Childcare.
- Reconfirm every 3 months, and watch the £100,000 limit.
Next step: try my nursery vs work calculator, or read my single parent budget guide.
General information only. Childcare rules change, so check Childcare Choices on GOV.UK before you apply.
Sources (checked 4 November 2026): Official source for corrected claim · GOV.UK: Childcare Choices · GOV.UK: 30 hours free childcare · GOV.UK: Tax-Free Childcare · GOV.UK: Universal Credit childcare costs · GOV.UK: free education for 2 year olds · GOV.UK: National Minimum Wage rates