15 Hours Free Childcare Calculator
All 3-4 year olds get 15 hours free childcare per week. Eligible 2 year olds also qualify. Worth £3,750+ per year.
15 Hours Free Childcare Overview
Universal Entitlement (All 3-4 Year Olds)
No income requirements - every 3-4 year old qualifies regardless of working status
2 Year Old Entitlement (Eligible Families)
Income-based eligibility or qualifying benefits required
Who Qualifies for 15 Free Hours?
UniversalAll 3-4 Year Olds
Every child aged 3-4 is entitled to 15 hours free childcare, regardless of parent income or working status.
When does it start?
- • Birthday Jan-Mar: Free hours start following 1 April
- • Birthday Apr-Aug: Free hours start following 1 September
- • Birthday Sep-Dec: Free hours start following 1 January
Means-testedEligible 2 Year Olds
2 year olds can get 15 free hours if their family meets certain criteria:
Qualifying Benefits
- • Income Support
- • Income-based JSA
- • Income-related ESA
- • Universal Credit (income ≤£15,400)
- • Tax Credits (income ≤£16,190)
- • Working Tax Credit 4-week run-on
- • Support under Immigration Act
Automatic Eligibility
- • Looked after children
- • Adopted children
- • Special guardianship/child arrangement order
- • Child with disability (DLA)
- • Child with EHC plan
- • Parent gets Carer's Allowance
New from 2024Working Family Entitlement
From April 2024, working families can also access free hours for younger children:
Working family eligibility: Each parent earns at least £183.82/week but less than £100,000/year
15 Hours Savings by Region
| Region | Hourly Rate | Weekly Saving | Annual Saving |
|---|---|---|---|
| Inner London | £8.75 | £131 | £4,987 |
| Outer London | £7.88 | £118 | £4,491 |
| South East | £7.50 | £113 | £4,275 |
| UK Average | £6.60 | £99 | £3,762 |
| North East | £5.50 | £83 | £3,135 |
Based on average nursery rates for 3-4 year olds in each region. 15 hours × 38 weeks = 570 hours/year.
How to Claim Your 15 Free Hours
Check Eligibility
Use gov.uk childcare calculator to confirm you qualify
Apply Online
Create a childcare service account on gov.uk
Get Your Code
Receive eligibility code within 7 working days
Give to Provider
Share code with your childcare provider
Note: For the universal 15 hours (all 3-4 year olds), you don't need to apply online. Simply speak to your childcare provider directly - they'll help you claim.
15 Hours vs 30 Hours Free Childcare
| Feature | 15 Hours (Universal) | 30 Hours (Extended) |
|---|---|---|
| Who qualifies | All 3-4 year olds | Working parents of 3-4 year olds |
| Income requirements | None | £183.82/week min, £100k max |
| Hours per week | 15 hours | 30 hours |
| Annual value (avg) | ~£3,750 | ~£7,500 |
| Need to apply online? | No - just speak to provider | Yes - gov.uk application |
Frequently Asked Questions
Do all 3 year olds get 15 hours free childcare?
Yes! Every 3 and 4 year old in England is entitled to 15 hours of free childcare per week, regardless of family income, working status, or any other criteria. This is a universal entitlement.
How much is 15 hours free childcare worth?
The value depends on your local childcare rates. On average, 15 hours is worth approximately £3,750 per year. In London it can be worth over £5,000, while in northern regions it may be around £3,000.
Can I stretch 15 hours over more days?
Yes, many providers allow you to "stretch" your hours over more weeks. Instead of 15 hours for 38 weeks, you might take fewer hours across more weeks (e.g., 11 hours for 52 weeks).
Are meals included in the free hours?
No, the free hours cover childcare only. Providers can charge for meals, nappies, sun cream, and other consumables. Ask your provider about any additional charges.
Can I use 15 hours with a childminder?
Yes, you can use your free hours with any Ofsted-registered provider including nurseries, childminders, and pre-schools. The provider must be registered to accept funded hours.
What if I need more than 15 hours?
If you're a working family, check if you qualify for 30 hours free. Otherwise, you can top up with paid hours. Tax-Free Childcare can help cover additional costs (up to £2,000/year per child).
Calculate Your Full Childcare Entitlement
Use our comprehensive calculator to see all your free hours entitlements plus Tax-Free Childcare and other government support.
Go to Full Calculator