Eligible working-parent families can get funded childcare from 9 months old to age 4.
Nursery funded hours guide
Funded childcare hours are helpful, but nursery bills are not always free
This guide explains working-parent funded childcare in England in plain English. It is written to help you ask better questions before using the nursery fees calculator or choosing a nursery place.
Term-time funding30 hoursfor 38 weeks
Stretched funding21.9 hoursroughly each week over 52 weeks
Total yearly hours1140the same yearly pot, spread differently
GOV.UK says you are not eligible if either parent expects adjusted net income over £100,000.
You usually need to confirm your details are still up to date every 3 months.
Eligibility
Who qualifies for funded childcare hours?
The working-parent scheme is for families in England. GOV.UK checks your child’s age, your work, your income, your partner’s income if you have one, and your immigration status.
- Your child is the right age. GOV.UK says children aged 9 months to 4 years old can get 30 hours a week for 38 weeks if the working-parent rules are met.
- You are working or starting work. Employment, self-employment and company director work can count. GOV.UK also says you can usually qualify while on sick leave, annual leave, maternity leave, paternity leave, adoption leave or shared parental leave.
- Your income is within the limits. You and your partner, if you have one, usually need to expect to earn at least a set amount over the next 3 months, and neither of you can expect adjusted net income over £100,000 for the tax year.
- You have the right status to apply. You usually need a National Insurance number and the right immigration status.
Income rules
The working-parent income check
GOV.UK sets the minimum income check using the National Minimum Wage or Living Wage for 16 hours a week on average. All of these figures are before tax.
AgeMinimum over 3 monthsWeekly equivalent
Over 21£2,643.68£203.36
18 to 20£2,256.80£173.60
Under 18 or apprentice£1,664£128
If income changes during the year
Re-check your eligibility if your hours, income or work status changes. This matters if you return from parental leave part-time, start a new job, become self-employed or expect income to go over the £100,000 adjusted net income limit.
15 vs 30 hours
Why “30 hours” does not always mean 30 hours every week
The headline number is usually shown as weekly term-time hours. A nursery may stretch the same yearly funded hours over more weeks, which makes the weekly figure lower.
15 hours
If you are not eligible for working-parent funded childcare, 3 and 4 year olds in England can still usually get 15 hours a week for 38 weeks. Some 2 year olds may qualify through separate support rules.
30 hours
Working-parent funded childcare can provide 30 hours a week for 38 weeks for eligible children aged 9 months to 4 years old. That is 1140 funded hours across the year.
Using the hours
Term-time funding vs stretched funding
There are two separate things to think about: when your child attends nursery, and how your nursery spreads the funded hours across invoices.
Term-time funding
This usually means using up to 30 funded hours a week for 38 weeks of the year. It may suit families who only need childcare during term weeks.
Stretched funding
This spreads the same yearly hours across more weeks. For a 52-week nursery place, 1,140 hours works out at about 21.9 funded hours a week.
Which one is better?
If you work all year and need nursery through school holidays, stretched funding may make bills steadier. If you already have childcare for school holidays, term-time funding may be simpler. The best option depends on what your nursery offers and how you need childcare to work.
Start dates
When funded hours start
Funding does not always start the day your child reaches the right age. It usually starts from a term date after your child becomes eligible. This is why nursery can be much more expensive for the first few months.
1 January
Often used for children who become eligible in the autumn term window.
1 April
Often used for children who become eligible in the spring term window.
1 September
Often used for children who become eligible in the summer term window.
Real nursery bills
Why nursery bills are still not always free
Funded hours reduce childcare costs, but they do not always remove the whole bill. Nurseries can charge for things outside the funded childcare itself, and each provider can invoice differently.
Common extras
- Meals and snacks.
- Nappies, wipes and consumables.
- Activities or outings.
- Admin fees, deposits or late collection fees.
Session rules
- Some nurseries charge full days only.
- Some have minimum booked sessions.
- Some apply funding only to certain hours.
- Some invoice monthly even though funding is term-based.
What to ask for
- A quote before funding starts.
- A quote after funding starts.
- Any food or consumable charge.
- Whether funding can be stretched across the year.
Other help
Tax-Free Childcare and other support
Tax-Free Childcare is different from funded hours. It can help with childcare costs that are still left after funded hours, if you are eligible.
- It is a top-up scheme. GOV.UK says for every £8 you pay into your childcare account, the government adds £2, up to the scheme limits.
- It can work alongside funded hours. You can use it for eligible childcare costs that are not covered by funded hours.
- It is not the same as Universal Credit childcare support. Some schemes cannot be used together, so check what applies to your household.
Common mistakes
Things people often assume
Usually it means 30 hours for 38 weeks, or fewer hours each week if stretched.
Extras like food, consumables and unfunded hours can still leave a monthly bill.
You usually need to reconfirm details, and changes in work or income can matter.
Official sources
Where the guide gets its information
This guide is based on GOV.UK pages checked for the 2026/27 tax year. It is for planning, not formal benefits advice.