Whether it's nursery, pre-school or a childminder – find the best start to prepare your child for school.
Your 2 year old can get 570 hours free early education a year from the term after they turn 2, if you receive one of these benefits:
- income support
- income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
- income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
- Universal Credit – if you and your partner have a combined income from work of less than £15,400 a year after tax
- tax credits and you have an annual income of under £16,190 before tax
- the guaranteed element of State Pension Credit
- support through part 6 of the Immigration and Asylum Act
- the Working Tax Credit 4-week run on (the payment you get when you stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit).
Free childcare is also available for children who:
- are looked after by a local authority
- have a current statement of special educational needs or an education, health and care plan
- have left care through a special guardianship or an adoption or child arrangement order
- get disability living allowance.
Once your child turns 3...
All 3 year olds can get 570 hours free early education a year from the term after they turn 3.
To use these hours, speak to your provider.
All 3 and 4 year olds
All 3 and 4 year olds can get 570 hours free early education a year from the term after they turn 3.
To use these hours, speak to your provider.
Legally, your child doesn’t have to start school until the term after they turn 5.
Some 3 and 4 years olds get extra...
Some 3 and 4 year olds can also get another 570 hours a year on top, depending on your circumstances.
This is called 30 hours free childcare (that's a total of 1,140 hours a year).
You can get that if:
- you earn (or expect to earn) the equivalent of 16 hours at National Minimum or Living Wage over the coming 3 months.
That's £120 a week (around £6,000 a year) for each parent over 25 years old.
Or £112.80 a week (around £5,800 a year) for each parent between 21–24 years old.
This applies whether you’re in paid employment, self-employed or on a zero hours contract.
- one or both parents are on maternity, paternity, shared parental or adoption leave, or on statutory sick leave
- one of you meets the income criteria above and the other is unable to work because they're disabled, have caring responsibilities or have been assessed as having limited capability to work
- you’re in a ‘start-up period’ (i.e. newly self-employed). You don't need to demonstrate that you meet the income criteria for 12 months
- you’re a non-EEA national. You must have 'recourse to public funds'.
When can you start using your 30 hours free childcare?
You can use your hours from the term after your child turns 3 (if you're eligible).
If you apply by 31 August, your entitlement will start from 1 September.
If you apply after 31 August, your entitlement will start from 1 January.
If you already get 30 hours free childcare, you need to reconfirm your eligibility by 31 August so your 30 hours free childcare continues.
Once you've applied, sign into your account to get your eligibility code or to reconfirm your eligibility.
If you need help, contact the HMRC helpline on 0300 123 4097.
If your child is 5 or over, you need to apply for a school place.