Free Childcare for working parents with children aged 9 months to reception

In 2024 the entitlement for working parents expanded.

The following is now available: 

• Children of eligible working parents aged 9 months up to reception age – (a maximum) 30 hours free childcare per week, for 38 weeks a year

Families receive an 11 digit childcare code if eligible for this funding*

* for three-and-four-year-olds the 30 hours funding is 15 hours working parents entitlement + 15 universal, but for twos and under there is no universal entitlement so the code gives them the maximum 30 hours.

Who is eligible?

Working parents where:

Both parents (or sole parent in one parent family) are working* and earn on average at least the equivalent of 16 hours at the national minimum wage** and less than £100,000 or

• As above where one parent is working, and the second parent is not working but receiving an eligible carer benefit or is unable to work and receiving an eligible disability benefit.
• Parent(s) who continue to be eligible every 3 months and reconfirm this online (using the Government Gateway explained later). 

* Working includes parents who are on maternity, paternity, adoption or sick leave and where a parent expects to be working (for instance starting a new job)

**minimum wages rates vary for different age groups and change every April. www.gov.uk/national-minimum-wage-rates

(April 2025 minimum wage for 21 and over is £12.21 per hour, £195.36 per week or £10,158.72 per year) 

How do you apply for free childcare? 

• You need to apply through the  online childcare service or best start in life website or call 0300 123 4097
• You will need to set up a Government Gateway account which might take some time, so do this as early as possible.
• See Key facts section for - When is my child eligible and when can I apply?’
• You will get a working families’ childcare code which you must give to your provider before the start of your child’s eligible term.
• For working parent entitlements, you MUST reconfirm your eligibility (childcare code) every 3 months via the Government Gateway.
• If you cannot access the internet, you can ring the Childcare Service on 0300 123 4097.