Free childcare and early education for 2, 3 and 4 year olds in England

15 hours free childcare

All children in England get 570 free hours per year. It’s usually taken as 15 hours a week for 38 weeks of the year, but you can choose to take fewer hours over more weeks, for example.

You can get it from the term after your child’s 3rd birthday.

Contact your childcare provider or local council to find out more.

30 hours free childcare

You may be able to get up to 30 hours free childcare (1,140 hours per year, which you can choose how you take).

If you’re eligible for the extra hours, you sign up online to get a code to give to your childcare provider to reserve your place. You’ll get the extra hours once the next term starts.

Free early education and childcare places are available in a wide range of settings including: maintained nursery schools, nursery classes attached to primary schools and private, voluntary and independent (PVI) providers including play groups, pre-schools, day nurseries, independent schools, independent childminders and childminders registered with a childminder agency.

For further information on free childcare places, including eligibility for 2 year old places, please click here

Tax-Free Childcare

Find out more information about Tax-Free Childcare