Parents who apply on time can get 30 hours of free childcare per week during term time. This term time limit means parents only get the funding for 38 weeks each year. However, some childcare providers allow parents to stretch out the funding over the year, meaning they could get fewer free hours each week, but stretched over 50 weeks, for example.
This is the first time children as young as 9 months old will be able to benefit from 30 hours of free childcare per week. The changes are happening as a result of policies announced during the 2023 Spring Budget designed to help working parents with childcare costs. A phased approach was used to implement the changes. In September 2024, 15 hours of free childcare were extended to children aged 9 months and older. This final phase extends the allowance to 30 hours per week during term time.
While the deadline is on the 31st of August, applications can take up to 7 days to process. Therefore, if you have not done so and think you might be eligible for the free hours, it's a good idea to start the process now. We explain who is eligible and how to apply below.
Who is eligible?
If your child is turning 9 months old between the 1st of April and the 31st of August this year, then you could be eligible for 30 hours of free childcare from the 1st of September.
To be eligible for the 30 hours of free childcare:
- you must live in England
- you must enrol your child with an approved childcare provider
- you and your partner must be in work or due to start work
- you and your partner must earn on average more than £120 (if you’re under 18 or an apprentice), £160 (if you’re aged 18 to 20) or £195 (if you’re aged 21 or over) per week over the next three months
- you or your partner must not have an adjusted net income of £100,000 or more in the current tax year
Some exceptions to the eligibility criteria apply. Further information is available via the government website.
How to apply
If you're already receiving 15 hours of free childcare, you will automatically begin to receive 30 hours from September as long as you remain eligible. However, you'll still need to confirm you're eligible every 3 months.
If you're yet to apply, you can begin the process via the gov.uk website. You'll need your National Insurance number, or unique taxpayer reference if you're self-employed. You'll also need your child's birth certificate reference number.
You will get a response within around 7 days if your application is approved, as well as an 11-digit code that you need to give to your childcare provider. You'll then need to re-confirm your eligibility every 3 months. If you want to find out more about the application process and eligibility requirements, take a look at our article which explains how to apply for free childcare.
If you need additional support with paying for childcare, read our article on how tax-free childcare works. With this initiative, you can get £2 for every £8 you pay towards qualifying childcare up to a maximum of £2,000 per child per year.
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