30 Hours Free Childcare Calculator

Working parents in England with 3-4 year olds where each parent earns at least £9,518/year (National Minimum Wage × 16 hours/week) and no parent earns over £100,000/year.

From April 2024, working parents with 2-year-olds qualify. From September 2024, working parents with children 9 months to 2 years qualify. This is the biggest childcare expansion in a generation.

ALL 3-4 year olds in England are entitled to 15 hours free childcare per week, regardless of parental income or employment. This is available 38 weeks/year.

No. The free entitlement covers educational childcare hours only. Providers can charge separately for meals, trips, and other activities.

Only at Ofsted-registered providers who have signed up to the funded scheme. Most private nurseries, childminders, and pre-schools participate.

Yes. You can split the hours between different registered providers, useful if you use a nursery and a childminder.

You can stretch the 30 hours across 52 weeks (some weeks with fewer hours) — this is called "stretching" and is offered by some councils and providers.

If your income drops below £9,518 or rises above £100,000, you must notify HMRC. You have a grace period of up to 3 months if circumstances change.

Apply via the Childcare Choices website or GOV.UK for a code to give your provider. You must reconfirm every 3 months.

No. The 30-hour offer is England only. Scotland offers 1,140 hours/year (equivalent to ~30 hours/week for 38 weeks) for eligible 3-4 year olds.

Yes. Self-employed parents qualify if their income meets the threshold. HMRC assesses this based on national minimum wage for 16 hours per week.

Separate to free hours, Tax-Free Childcare gives 20p for every 80p you spend, up to £2,000/year per child. You can use both 30 hours and Tax-Free Childcare together.