The government expanded existing childcare support in England in April 2024. This extra help has been rolled out in phases. By September 2025 most working families with children under the age of five will be entitled to 30 hours of government-funded childcare. Here’s what you need to know.

Parents of children aged nine-months old can now get 15 hours of ‘free’ childcare

Eligible working parents of children aged at least nine months in England can now get 15 hours of childcare support per week during term time, which is 38 weeks a year. But when they can apply for it and start using it depends on when they go back to work.  

Will I automatically start getting the additional funded hours as soon my child is old enough?

No. Firstly, you must be an eligible working parent, and it will depend on the date you return to work after maternity or parental leave. This means you might not be able to apply for and start claiming the extra funded hours as soon as your child reaches the minimum age.

You can apply now if you plan to return to work on or before 30 April 2025

If you are going back to work between 1 February 2025 and 30 April 2025 you can apply from NOW until 31 March, as long as your child will be at least nine months old on 31 March 2025. You can start using your 15 funded hours from 1 April 2025.  

I plan to return to work after 30 April 2025, when can I apply?

If you return to work between 1 May 2025 and 30 September 2025 you will have to wait until 1 April to apply with a deadline of 31 August – even if your child is already at least nine months old. You will then be able to start using your 15 funded hours from 1 September 2025.  

How do I know if I am an ‘eligible working parent’?

The funded hours are available for working parents and carers, this means if you’re in a couple both parents must be working, or if you’re a sole parent you need to be working to claim the funded hours. 

If you, or your partner, are on maternity, paternity or adoption leave, or one of you is unable to work because you’re disabled or are a carer, you could still be eligible for the funded childcare hours. To see a complete list of who can claim see GOV.UK

Do I have to earn a minimum or maximum amount?

Yes. To qualify for the extra support, you need to work and earn between a minimum and maximum amount.

What is the minimum I need to earn?

You must earn at least the equivalent of 16 hours a week at the National Minimum Wage or National Living Wage over the next three months. For couples, both parents will need to meet the earnings threshold.

You can see the rates and work out if you qualify on GOV.UK. And you don’t need to work a certain number of hours per week – it’s simply about how much you earn. For example, the National Living Wage for everyone age 21 and over is £11.44 an hour. At the moment, you’ll need to earn at least £183.04 a week (£11.44 x 16) to qualify.

What is the maximum I can earn?

Each parent can earn up to a maximum of £100,000. If one parent earns more than £100,000 a year, then you won’t be eligible for the funded childcare hours. The government uses your “adjusted net income” - see GOV.UK for an in-depth explanation of what does and doesn’t count. Or alternatively you can go straight to check to find out if you qualify on GOV.UK.

I am on parental leave for other younger children – does that affect my eligibility for my older children?

No. If you’re applying for funded childcare hours for an older child (who’s still under five), who is not the reason for your parental leave you can apply as soon as your older child is at least nine months old.

Government-funded hours for children increase from September this year

From  September 2025, eligible working parents of pre-school children from nine months up to the age of five will be entitled to 15 additional funded hours, taking it up to 30 hours of funded childcare a week during term time.

You may be able use your hours for up to 52 weeks if you use fewer than your total hours per week. Check with your childcare provider to find out if this is something they offer. All parents of three and four-year olds can already get 30 hours of funded childcare – so the increase really only applies if your child is under the age of three.

How do I apply?

To apply, go to the government site and fill in the online form. If you’ve already registered for one or more of your children, you can sign in to your existing childcare account and add another child. You may find out if you’re eligible straight away, but it can take up to 7 days.

If you are eligible for the extra funding, you’ll be sent an 11-digit code to share with your childcare provider, who will also need to see your National Insurance Number and your child’s date of birth. You must reconfirm your eligibility every 3 months to keep your code valid. But don’t worry, you’ll be sent a reminder before the code is due to run out.

I am struggling with childcare costs and I am on a low income – can I get any other help?

Universal Credit is a benefit for people in, and out of, work. Working families who qualify for Universal Credit can claim back up to 85% of their monthly childcare costs. Find out more in MoneyHelper's guide Universal Credit explained.  

You must pay for the childcare upfront first and provide receipts to get money back. You can only claim for childcare that has taken place during your assessment period. If you cannot pay that upfront cost, you might be able to get help with that through the Flexible Support Fund.