Who can get free childcare hours?

In England, many families can get free childcare at a registered nursery or pre-school. Here's a plain-English summary. Rules change, so always check the official details on Childcare Choices (GOV.UK) before you apply.

The main types of help

• All 3 and 4 year olds: 15 hours a week, for 38 weeks of the year, whatever your income.
• Working parents of children from 9 months old: up to 30 hours a week, for 38 weeks of the year, if you meet the work and income rules.
• Some 2 year olds: 15 hours a week if your family gets certain benefits, or your child has extra needs.

Do I count as a working parent?

Usually, yes if each parent (or you, if you're a single parent) expects to earn at least the equivalent of 16 hours a week at the National Minimum or Living Wage over the next three months, and neither parent expects to earn more than £100,000 a year. There are exceptions, for example if you're on parental leave or one parent is disabled or a carer.

How to apply

1. Apply through the Childcare Choices website, usually the term before you want the hours to start.
2. You'll get an 11-digit code. Give it to your nursery with your National Insurance number and your child's date of birth.
3. Reconfirm every three months through your account, or you could lose the code. (Nurseries on our system remind you automatically.)

Good to know

• "Free hours" cover childcare time. Nurseries may charge for meals, nappies, trips or extra hours, so ask what's included.
• You can often stretch the hours across more weeks of the year by using fewer hours a week. Ask the nursery.
• Your local council's Family Information Service can help with questions about funding in your area.