Help with Childcare Costs - Free Early Education and Childcare

All 3 and 4 year olds in England are entitled to 15 hours of free childcare per week. It doesn't matter what your income is or whether your receiving benefits. 

Most childcare providers ask families to take this as 15 hours per week over 38 weeks per year but you might be able to change how you take it.

You can start using your free hours in the term after your child turns three and it ends when your child starts school or becomes compulsory school age

You have to use an approved childcare provider.

You will need to apply for a code by the end of the month before a new term starts to give your childcare provider you would like to use. For example, if the term starts on 1 September you must apply by 31 August. Providers may ask for a code before this deadline. 

How do I apply?

Start by speaking to your chosen childcare provider to see if they have a place available. If they do, they'll let you know what you have to do next. Usually you'll need to show them your child's birth certificate.  

Contact your local council, to see what is available in your area.

Early Years Pupil Premium 

Some children who receive extra support might also be able to get an extra payment called the Early Years Pupil Premium. This money is paid to the childcare provider directly, and is used to support the learning and development of the child. To get the Early Years Pupil Premium you usually have to get certain benefits, or your child must be cared for by a local authority in England or Wales. 

To apply, speak to your childcare provider or contact your local council. 

Some families in England can get 15 hours of free childcare per week for their 2 year old. This is for families who require extra support.

Most childcare providers ask families to take this as 15 hours per week over 38 weeks per year but you might be able to change how you take it.

Can I get it?

You can get 15 hours of childcare per week you get any of the extra support below: 

• Universal Credit and your household income is less than £15,400 per year after tax 
• Guaranteed element of Pension Credit 
• Income Support, income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA), income-based Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA)
• Your child gets Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
• Your child has a statement of special educational needs or an educational health and care plan (EHC)
• Your child has left local authority care under a special guardianship order, a child arrangements order or an adoption order 

 I have no recourse to public funds 

You might still be eligible for 15 hours free childcare per week if you have less than £16,000 in savings, and your household income is below:

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

How do I apply?

Contact your local council's Early Years Team or Family Information Service to apply. They will guide you through the next steps. 

When do I apply?

You can apply when your child is nearly 2. When your free childcare starts depends on your child's birthday: 

If your child turns 2 years old between 1 September and 31 December, you can apply from 1 September and receive your hours from 1 January the following year. 

If your child turns 2 years old between 1 January and 31 March, you can apply from 1 January and receive your hours from 1 April the same year. 

If your child turns 2 years old between 1 April and 31 August, you can apply from 1 April and receive your hours from 1 September the same year 

All 3 and 4 year olds living in Scotland are entitled up to 1,140 hours per year of free childcare. 

This is usually taken as 30 hours per week if used during the school term, or taken as 22 hours per week if used all year. 

You can only use these hours for registered childcare.

How do I apply?

Contact your local council to apply and find out how many hours you can claim.

Some families in Scotland can get up to 30 hours of free childcare per week for their 2 year old. 

Most childcare providers ask families to take this as 30 hours per week over 38 weeks per year but you might be able to change how you take it. 

Can I get it?

To be eligible, you have to be claiming certain benefits or your child has to fall into certain categories.

You might be able to claim free childcare for your 2 year old if you are receiving:

• Universal Credit and your pay after tax is £850 per month or less.
• Income Support
• income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
• income-based Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA)
• Pension Credit
• Support for Asylum Seeker
• Incapacity Benefit 
• Severe Disablement Allowance

You might also be able to claim free childcare for your 2 year old if they are:

• being cared for by a local council 
• being cared for by a guardian or kinship carer

How do I apply?

Contact your local council to find a place.

Once you start getting free childcare for your 2 year old, you can keep getting it, even if you get a job which takes you over the earnings limits.

All 3 and 4 year olds in Wales are entitled to 10 hours of free early education per week during school terms. This is included in the Childcare Offer for Wales and is intended to help children prepare for school. 

Some 3 and 4 year olds are entitled to 30 hours per week of free early education and childcare over 48 weeks per year under the Childcare Offer for Wales. The 30 hours are made up of at least 10 hours of free early education, and up to 20 hours of childcare. 

Can I get 30 hours? 

You may be able to get 30 hours of free childcare per week if you live in Wales and are:

• in work or about to start a new job, and earning over a certain amount 
• enrolled on a further or higher education course that is at least 10 weeks long
• on Statutory Pay or Leave (including Maternity, Paternity, Sick, Bereavement or Adoption)

If you’re single:

• You need to be earning more than 16 x National Minimum Wage per week (This doesn’t apply if you’re self employed and started your business less than a year ago. It also doesn’t apply if you’re off work and getting Statutory Sick Pay, or if you’re off work on adoption or maternity/paternity leave)
• You need to be earning less than £100,000 per year.

If you live with a partner:

• You both need to be earning more than 16 x National Minimum Wage per week (if one of you is self-employed and started your business less than a year ago this won’t apply to them), or
• One of you needs to be working and earning more than 16 x National Minimum Wage and the other needs to be claiming Carer's Allowance or Employment and Support Allowance (ESA), or
• One or both of you is temporarily off work on maternity/paternity or adoption leave or Statutory Sick Pay (SSP), and when you’re working you would satisfy the earnings requirements
• If either of you has an income of more than £100,000 per year, you won’t be able to use the scheme.

How do I apply?

To start an application, visit the Welsh Government's website and apply for the Childcare Offer for Wales. You'll

The Flying Start Programme supports parents and children under 4 living in disadvantaged areas. 

If offers support from pregnancy until your child starts school, including 12.5 hours of free childcare per week for 2 to 3 year olds. This is usually given as 2.5 hours per day, 5 days per week during the school term time. 

The programme also offers help with you child's speech, language and communication skills, parenting support and an enhanced health visiting service.

Can I get it? 

Flying Start is only available in certain areas, so it depends on where you live. You can check your postcode on the Early Years Wales website to see if you're eligible. 

How do I apply?

To find out when and how to apply, contact the Family Information Service at your local council. 

All 3 and 4 year old children in Northern Ireland can get 12.5 hours per week of funded pre-school education in the year before they begin primary school. 

These places are offered in nursery schools, primary schools that have nursery units, or in voluntary/private pre-school settings that have funded places. 

Usually, the 12.5 hours is given as 2.5 hours per day, 5 days per week during the school term time. 

The Northern Ireland Executive has begun to increase all funded pre-school places to 22.5 hours per week. This will be phased in from September 2025 and will take a few years to complete.

How do I apply? 

You can apply online through the Education Authority (EA) website.

In December 2025, the Education Authority will publish details for applying for the 2026/27 pre-school year, including which locations you can choose. 

If you have questions or need help with an application, contact the EA admissions helpline:

• Phone: 028 9047 1077
• Email: preschooladmissions@eani.org.uk

The Sure Start Programme supports parents and children under 4 living in disadvantaged areas. 

It offers support to parents and children from pregnancy to when they’re ready for school. The programme focuses on a child’s learning skills, health and well-being and social and emotional development.

Can I get it? 

It depends on where you live. The Sure Start Programme is only available in 38 areas, and your postcode will show whether you’re in one of them. You can check the Sure Start projects directory to find out what projects are available in your area. 

How do I apply? 

Get in touch with your local Sure Start project for more information on what services are available and whether there are any places free.