30 FUNDED HOURS
30 hours free childcare in England
Check whether your child and household meet the working-parent conditions for 30 funded hours each week.
Free childcare application checklist
Get the four-page England eligibility and application guide by email.
Key facts
- Eligible working parents can receive 30 hours a week for 38 weeks a year.
- That equals 1,140 funded hours a year.
- The extended scheme covers children from 9 months until school age.
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
How many weeks are funded?
The entitlement is stated as 38 weeks per year.
How many hours is that annually?
30 hours for 38 weeks equals 1,140 hours.
Must both partners work?
For a couple, both partners must each meet the earnings criteria.
Does the £100,000 limit apply to each parent?
The exclusion applies only when a parent expects adjusted net income over £100,000.
Is this UK-wide?
No. This checker applies only to England.
Related guides
30 hours · Eligibility · From 9 months · Universal 15 hours · Complete guide · £100k limit · 2-year-olds · 38 weeks · Single parents