PARENTS should be aware of fast-approaching deadline to apply for free child care support.
If you want to keep or start receiving up to 30 hours of free childcare a week for children aged nine months to four years, you must apply or renew your childcare code by August 31.
GettyTo apply or check eligibility visit gov.uk/free-childcare-if-working[/caption]This applies to working parents in England who use registered childcare providers such as nurseries, playschemes, or wrap-around care.
You’ll need to set up a childcare account online and apply via GOV.UK or the HMRC app.
Once approved, you’ll get an 11-digit code to give your childcare provider as proof of eligibility.
If your child turns nine months old between April 1 and August 31, you must apply by August 31 to get free childcare starting in September.
If you already receive 15 hours for your child under two, you’ll automatically get 30 hours from September, but you still need to confirm your details and provide the code to your provider.
Some childcare providers ask for codes before the August 31 deadline so it’s best to apply as soon as possible.
Once you have your code, you’ll need to reconfirm your details every three months to keep your place, although some providers may offer a short grace period.
If you’re starting a new job, returning from parental leave, or changing circumstances, deadlines vary – but August 31 is the key date for many parents wanting free childcare starting this autumn.
To apply or check eligibility visit gov.uk/free-childcare-if-working.
Who's eligible for free childcare hours?
YOU could get up to 30 hours of free childcare per week through the Free Childcare for Working Parents scheme if you meet these conditions:
Child’s age: Your child must be between 9 months and 4 years old and live in England. From September 2025: All children aged 9 months to 2 years will qualify for 30 free hours per week. Income: Each parent must earn at least £166 per week (equal to working 16 hours at minimum wage) and no more than £100,000 per year.If you’re not eligible for the 30-hour scheme, you can still get 15 free hours per week for all 3 and 4-year-olds, starting from the term after their third birthday until they begin school.
This is available to everyone, regardless of income or benefits.
Your 2-year-old can also get free childcare if you live in England and meet any of these conditions:
You receive benefits like Income Support, income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA), income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA), or Universal Credit (with a household income of £15,400 or less after tax, not including benefit payments). You get the guaranteed element of Pension Credit.Your child is also eligible if they:
Are in the care of a local authority. Have an education, health, and care (EHC) plan. Receive Disability Living Allowance. Have been adopted or are under a special guardianship or child arrangements order.Taking up the 15 free hours for 2-year-olds won’t affect your benefits.
What other childcare help is available?
Child benefit
Every parent in the UK can apply for child benefit to help with the costs of raising their child.
You can get it if you’re responsible for bringing up a child who is under 16 or under 20 and in approved education or training.
The benefit is worth £26.05 a week for your eldest child, and then £17.25 a week for any subsequent children.
For a family with two children who qualify, this adds up to £2251.60 a year.
For just one child, you get £1354.60 a year.
While child benefit is available for all to apply, there is a caveat for higher earners.
If one parent in the household earns over £60,000 per year, a portion of the benefit must be repaid, this triggers the so-called high income child benefit charge.
This means a portion of the benefit must be repaid.
Once an individual’s income exceeds £80,000, the entire benefit must be repaid.
You can apply by visiting gov.uk/child-benefit.
Universal Credit childcare element
If you’re on Universal Credit and working, you can get up to 85% of your childcare costs covered.
This can be up to £1,031.88 per month for one child or £1,768.94 per month for two or more children.
It doesn’t matter how many hours you work, but if you have a partner, both of you must be working to qualify.
Normally, you’ll need to pay for childcare upfront and then claim the costs back.
However, if you’re starting a new job or increasing your hours, you can ask for the money to be paid in advance.
In some cases, if you can’t afford to pay upfront, you may be able to get extra help with the initial costs.
To find out more visit: gov.uk/help-with-childcare-costs/universal-credit.
Are you missing out on benefits?
YOU can use a benefits calculator to help check that you are not missing out on money you are entitled to
Charity Turn2Us’ benefits calculator works out what you could get.
Entitledto’s free calculator determines whether you qualify for various benefits, tax credit and Universal Credit.
MoneySavingExpert.com and charity StepChange both have benefits tools powered by Entitledto’s data.
You can use Policy in Practice’s calculator to determine which benefits you could receive and how much cash you’ll have left over each month after paying for housing costs.
Your exact entitlement will only be clear when you make a claim, but calculators can indicate what you might be eligible for.
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