£100,000 RULE
The £100,000 income limit for free childcare
No parent can have adjusted net income of £100,000 or more — the limit applies to each parent separately.
Free childcare application checklist
Get the four-page England eligibility and application guide by email.
Key facts
- Each parent must be under £100,000 adjusted net income.
- Exactly £100,000 is not allowed — the rule is strictly under.
- Pension contributions can affect adjusted net income; version 1 notes this rather than calculating it.
Age bands at a glance
| Child’s age | Funded hours | Who qualifies |
|---|---|---|
| Under 9 months | 0 | Starts the term after 9 months |
| 9–35 months | 30 | Eligible working parents |
| 3–4 years | 15 or 30 | 15 universal; 30 if working-parent eligible |
| School age | 0 early-years hours | Scheme ends |
Frequently asked questions
Is the limit per household?
No. It applies to each parent separately.
Is exactly £100,000 allowed?
No. Each parent must be under £100,000.
Can one parent earn over £100,000 and the other much less?
No. If any parent is at £100,000 or more, working-parent hours are lost.
Can pension contributions help?
They can reduce adjusted net income; check your own figures.
Does the universal 15 hours survive the limit?
Yes. All 3- and 4-year-olds keep the universal 15 hours.
Related guides
30 hours · Eligibility · From 9 months · Universal 15 hours · Complete guide · £100k limit · 2-year-olds · 38 weeks · Single parents