Free childcare hours calculator

What each nation offers

How the 30 hours work in England

Free Childcare for Working Parents gives 30 hours a week for 38 weeks a year to children aged 9 months to 4. You, and your partner if you have one, must each expect to earn at least £2,643.68 over the next three months (the National Living Wage for 16 hours a week), and neither of you can expect adjusted net income over £100,000. You apply through the GOV.UK Childcare Service, give the code to your provider, and reconfirm every three months. Hours start the term after your child becomes eligible and you have a valid code.

Every 3 and 4 year old in England also gets 15 universal hours (570 a year) whatever their parents do. Some 2-year-olds get 15 hours if the family gets certain benefits or the child gets extra support.

Stretched hours

The funding pays for 38 weeks. Many nurseries and childminders let you spread it across more of the year: 30 hours over 38 weeks is 1,140 hours, which stretched over 51 weeks is about 22 hours a week. Your provider decides whether to offer this.

What the free hours don't cover

The hours fund childcare and early education only. Providers can charge for meals, nappies, suncream, trips and paid extras, but these must be voluntary, and deposits must be refundable. Weeks beyond 38 are charged in full unless your provider stretches your hours. See what that adds up to with the nursery fees calculator.