30 Hours Free Childcare Calculator
Check whether you qualify for free childcare in England and estimate the value of your free hours. Rules checked against GOV.UK on 9 October 2026.
Estimate only, for England, using rules checked on 9 October 2026. Each parent's earnings are compared with the minimum of about £10,575 a year (£203.36 a week, ages 21 and over) and the £100,000 limit. The value is hours multiplied by your provider's hourly price. Providers may charge extra for meals and activities. Not financial advice.
| Child's age | Free hours | Who qualifies |
|---|---|---|
| Under 9 months | None yet | You can apply from 23 weeks old to be ready |
| 9 months to 2 years | Up to 30 a week | Working parents under the £100,000 limit |
| 3 to 4 years | 15 a week, or up to 30 | 15 for all; 30 for working parents |
| Reception age or older | None | School place instead |
Free hours run for 38 weeks of the year (term time), or fewer hours spread across 52 weeks if your provider offers that. Check how your provider stretches them.
Frequently asked questions
How many hours of free childcare can I get in England?
Working parents of children aged 9 months to 4 years can get up to 30 hours a week for 38 weeks of the year. Children aged 3 and 4 can also get 15 hours a week for 38 weeks whether or not their parents work. Some 2-year-olds qualify for help if the family receives certain benefits or the child has extra support.
Who is eligible for 30 hours of free childcare?
Your child must be 9 months to 4 years old and live with you. You and your partner, if you have one, must each be in work (or on sick, annual, maternity, paternity, adoption or shared parental leave) and expect to earn at least the National Minimum Wage or Living Wage for about 16 hours a week, which is £2,643.68 over the next 3 months if you are 21 or over. Neither of you can have adjusted net income over £100,000.
Does the £100,000 limit apply to both parents?
Yes. If you or your partner expect adjusted net income of over £100,000 for the current tax year, you are not eligible for the 30 hours for working parents.
When can I apply?
You can apply from when your child is 23 weeks old, so the childcare can start from the term after they turn 9 months. Apply through your childcare account on GOV.UK and you will get a code to give to your provider.
Can I use free childcare hours and Tax-Free Childcare together?
Yes. You can get free childcare for working parents alongside Tax-Free Childcare or Universal Credit childcare, but you cannot get Tax-Free Childcare and Universal Credit childcare at the same time.
Does this apply in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland?
No. This calculator uses the rules for England. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have their own free childcare schemes with different hours, ages and eligibility rules.
Is this calculator exact?
No, it is an estimate based on the rules published on GOV.UK on 9 October 2026. Your provider decides how the free hours are used, and some charge extra for meals or activities. Always confirm with your provider and the official GOV.UK childcare calculator.
About this tool
England offers free childcare to working parents of children aged 9 months to 4 years, up to 30 hours a week for 38 weeks, and 15 hours a week for all 3 and 4 year olds. This tool checks your answers against the published rules (child's age, minimum earnings for each parent, and the £100,000 adjusted net income limit) and estimates what the free hours are worth at your provider's hourly price. It does not cover Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland, which have their own schemes. Figures come from GOV.UK, last checked on 9 October 2026. Official sources: Free childcare for working parents and eligibility.