30 hours free childcare in England: who qualifies and when to apply
Published · 3 min read · Figures checked . UK rules and rates change, so check the official sources below before you act.
Working parents in England may get up to 30 hours a week of free childcare for children from 9 months to 4 years old. This guide explains the earnings rules, the £100,000 limit and the application dates, as checked on GOV.UK on 13 October 2026.
What the scheme is
Free Childcare for Working Parents is a government scheme for England. Eligible families can get up to 30 hours of free childcare a week for 38 weeks of the year. It is for children aged 9 months to 4 years. The place must be with a registered childcare provider, such as a nursery or a childminder.
GOV.UK says that Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland each run different schemes, so this guide covers England only.
Who can qualify
The child must usually live with you. You, and your partner if you have one, must each expect to earn at least a set amount before tax over the 3 months after you apply. The amount is based on 16 hours a week at the National Minimum Wage or National Living Wage, and it depends on age.
- Over 21: £2,643.68 (about £203.36 a week)
- Aged 18 to 20: £2,256.80 (about £173.60 a week)
- Under 18 or an apprentice: £1,664 (about £128 a week)
Each parent has to meet the minimum on their own. Pay from employment and self-employment can be added together. Dividends, interest, property income and pension payments do not count towards the minimum.
You can still qualify if you are on leave, such as sick, annual, maternity, paternity, adoption or shared parental leave. If you are self-employed and do not expect to earn enough in the next 3 months, GOV.UK says you can use your expected average earnings for the tax year. If you started a business less than 12 months ago, you can earn less and still qualify.
You will not qualify if you or your partner expect adjusted net income above £100,000 in the current tax year. You also need a National Insurance number, and the person applying needs a right to be in the UK that gives access to public funds, or one of the other listed immigration statuses.
When to apply
You can apply once your child is 23 weeks old. Funding starts on one of three dates a year, and the date depends on when the child turns 9 months old.
- Turns 9 months between 1 September and 31 December: hours start on 1 January, apply by 31 December
- Turns 9 months between 1 January and 31 March: hours start on 1 April, apply by 31 March
- Turns 9 months between 1 April and 31 August: hours start on 1 September, apply by 31 August
There are different dates if you are returning to work after leave or starting a new job. GOV.UK sets these out on its when-to-apply page. Providers set their own exact start dates, so it can be worth asking yours.
How it works after you apply
If you are approved, you get an 11-digit code to give to your childcare provider. You must sign in to your childcare account every 3 months to confirm your details are up to date. GOV.UK says your account shows when the next check is due.
GOV.UK also points parents of children approaching school age to Tax-Free Childcare, which might be used for wraparound care and after-school clubs. Many people check with their provider exactly what the funded hours cover.
Check before you act
Rules, earnings amounts and dates can change. It can be worth confirming the details on the official GOV.UK pages linked below before applying or relying on any figure here. This guide is general information, not personal advice.
Sources
For information only. See our disclaimer and editorial standards. Spotted an error? Tell us.
