Government-funded childcare is support from the government to help with the cost of nursery fees while giving your child the very best start in life.
From September 2025, eligible working parents of children aged nine months up to school age can access up to 30 hours a week, for 38 weeks of the year.
These funded hours are designed to make childcare more affordable for families and to ensure every child can enjoy high-quality early education in a safe, nurturing environment.
All 3 and 4 year olds in England are entitled to 15 hours of funded childcare per week during term time, starting from the term after your child’s third birthday
- You can book additional, non-funded hours to suit your needs
You may be able to use this alongside other government schemes
If parents do not meet the criteria for working parents funding for 2 year olds, some 2 year olds may be eligible for up to 15 hours per week of free early education and childcare but parents/carers need to meet certain criteria.
Your 2-year-old may qualify if:
- You receive certain government benefits
- Your child has SEND or receives Disability Living Allowance
- Your child is under a kinship or guardianship order
- Your child is being looked after by the local authority
You can book additional, non-funded hours to suit your needs
This can be applied for from the local authority funding team, who will be able to advise how to complete the application.
From September 2025, eligible working parents of children aged nine months up to school age can access up to 30 hours a week, for 38 weeks of the year
- Both parents (or the sole parent in a single-parent household) must usually work 16+ hours a week
- Each parent must earn less than £100,000 per year
- You may still qualify if you're on sick leave, parental leave, or certain benefits
- Immigration status, your child's age, and where they live can also affect eligibility
Funded hours cover 38 weeks per year (term time)
You can book extra hours beyond what's funded, which are charged separately
Find out more about the available childcare support
For more information on the government funded childcare schemes, visit Government website:
Tax-Free Childcare is a Government scheme to support working families. Essentially, it’s a top-up scheme to help working families pay for childcare with a boost from the government (to the cap limit)
The scheme is available to all parents who work (including the self-employed) and have children aged 0-11 years (or up to 17 years if disabled)
Working families in the UK earning at least the National Minimum or Living Wage for 16 hours a week
If you’re a single parent and work, you will qualify. If you have a partner, they will usually also need to be in work to be eligible for tax-free childcare
It is for parents who aren’t receiving Tax Credits, Universal Credit or childcare vouchers, however, eligible parents can use both Tax-Free Childcare and 30 hours funded childcare together to support their childcare costs
To qualify, parents must be in work and need to earn at least national minimum wage, but less than £100,000 a year. If you’re self-employed, you’ll qualify as long you earn at least £152 a week on average over the next three months
If you are self-employed and in your first 12-months of self-employment, the minimum income threshold does not apply
Cannot claim Tax-Free Childcare alongside Childcare Vouchers, Universal Credit, or Tax Credits
For every £8 you pay into online childcare account, the government adds £2 (20% top-up)
Use the funds in this account to pay childcare costs
You can use this tax-free childcare calculator to find out how much you could get towards approved childcare:
You may be able to claim Universal Credit if you’re on a low income or out of work.
If you are eligible, you may be able to claim back up to 85% of your childcare costs.
You don’t need to do anything if you’re already claiming benefits
These funded hours are more than just financial support —
They are an investment in your child’s future.
They provide opportunities to explore, create, build friendships, develop confidence and grow within a safe, nurturing environment