Free childcare schemes

In England, all 3 - 4 year old children are eligible for 570 free hours of childcare per year. It’s usually taken as 15 hours a week for 38 weeks of the year. You can choose to take fewer hours over more weeks, if your childcare provider offers this option

This stops when your child starts in a reception class, or reaches compulsory school age if later. Please note the provider may still charge for extra costs, such as nappies, meals or school trips - please consult with them to get full details. 

In England, 2 year old children may also be eligible for 15 hours free childcare per week, if a parent receives any of the following:

• 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
• Child Tax Credit, Working Tax Credit (or both), and your household income is £16,190 a year or less before tax
• the Working Tax Credit 4-week run on (the payment you get when you stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit).

If you are not a UK citizen and have no recourse to public funds, your 2 year old may also be eligible for 15 hours free childcare if you have household earnings below:

• £26,500 for families outside of London with one child
• £34,500 for families within London with one child
• £30,600 for families outside of London with two or more children
• £38,600 for families within London with two or more child

You might also be able to get 15 hours per week free childcare for your 2 year old if:

• The child gets Disability Living Allowance (DLA).
• The child has a statement of special educational needs or an education health and care plan.
• The child is in local authority care. 
• The child left local authority care under a special guardianship order, a child arrangements order, or an adoption order.  

You cannot have more than £16,000 in savings or investments.