Understanding the 30 Hours Free Childcare Scheme

The 30 Hours Free Childcare scheme is a government initiative designed to support working parents with the cost of childcare. If you have a child aged three or four, you may be eligible for up to 30 hours of free childcare per week. Here’s everything you need to know about the scheme and how to make the most of it.

Who is Eligible?

To qualify for the 30 hours free childcare scheme, you must meet the following criteria:

• Your child must be 3 or 4 years old.

• Both parents (or a single parent in a single-parent household) must be working and earning at least £183 per week (equal to 16 hours at the National Minimum or Living Wage) but less than £100,000 per year.

• Self-employed parents are also eligible if they meet the earnings threshold.

• Parents on parental leave, maternity leave, or adoption leave may still qualify.

How to Apply

You can apply for the scheme online through the UK Government’s Childcare Choices website. Here’s how:

1. Visit www.childcarechoices.gov.uk and set up a Government Gateway account.

2. Fill out the application form with your details and employment information.

3. Receive your eligibility code – this must be given to your chosen childcare provider.

4. Reconfirm eligibility every three months to keep receiving free hours.

What is Covered?

• The 30 free hours cover 38 weeks of the year, in line with school term times. This amounts to 1,140 hours per year.

• Some childcare providers offer stretched funding, meaning you can use fewer hours per week over a longer period (e.g., 22 hours per week for 51 weeks).

• The scheme applies to nurseries, childminders, preschools, and some school-based childcare settings.

Additional Costs & Extras

While the funding covers childcare, it may not cover:

• Meals, snacks, or nappies

• Additional activities (e.g., trips or extra-curricular classes)

• Extra hours beyond the 30 funded hours

Many providers ask parents to pay a small contribution for these extras, so it’s important to check with your childcare provider.

What if I’m Not Eligible?

If you don’t qualify for 30 hours, you may still be eligible for:

• 15 hours of free childcare for all 3- and 4-year-olds (available to everyone, regardless of income)

• Tax-Free Childcare, which gives you up to £2,000 per year per child in savings

• Universal Credit for Childcare, which covers up to 85% of childcare costs for low-income families

Final Thoughts

The 30 Hours Free Childcare scheme is a fantastic opportunity for working parents to reduce their childcare costs while ensuring their child gets high-quality early education. If you’re eligible, make sure you apply early and check with your childcare provider on how they deliver funded hours.

For more details or to check eligibility, visit www.childcarechoices.gov.uk.