The Nursery Register
Free tool for parents

Which free childcare hours can you get?

Answer five quick questions to see what your child can get in England, when it starts and the date you need to apply by. Nothing you type here is saved.

1. Your child's date of birth
2. Is it just you, or you and a partner?
3. Are you working (and your partner, if you have one)?Each of you expecting to earn at least £203.36 a week before tax (16 hours at the National Living Wage) over the next 3 months. Lower amounts apply if you're under 21 or an apprentice. Being on maternity, paternity, sick or annual leave counts.
4. Will either of you earn more than £100,000 this tax year?Adjusted net income, each person separately.
5. Does any of these apply?Universal Credit with household take-home pay of £15,400 a year or less; Income Support; income-based Jobseeker's Allowance; income-related ESA; the guarantee part of Pension Credit; or your child has an EHC plan, gets Disability Living Allowance, is in care or has left care through adoption or a special guardianship or child arrangements order.

Based on GOV.UK rules for England, checked November 2026. Your council and nursery confirm the exact start date. Apply for working-parent hours at gov.uk; apply for 2-year-old hours through your local council.