Government and Childcare Support, Everything You Need to Know as a Parent
Childcare costs can vary depending on the type of care, location, and provider. On average, the cost of full-time nursery care for a child under two in England is £12,425 per year. However, with the government’s funded support schemes, you can get a lot of support with the cost if you know where to look!
In this article you'll find a comprehensive guide to the UK Government Childcare offer with everything from what support exists, if you qualify, and how to apply without losing your mind.
The Government "Funded Hours" Childcare Offers in a Nutshell
| Country | Child’s Age | What You Get | Who It’s For? | How to Apply |
| England | 9 months - 2 years | 15 hours per week (30 by Sept ‘25) | Working parents: min. £195/week earnings, <£100k/ year net. | Your Gov childcare account |
| 3-4 years | 15 hours per week | All children, regardless of income | Search here or ask provider if they qualify | |
| 3-4 years | 30 hours per week | Working parents: min. £195/week earnings,<£100k/ year net | Your Gov childcare account | |
| Scotland | 2-3 years | 15 hours per week | Specific benefits or care experience. | Your Local council |
| 3-4 years | 22 hours per week (1140/year) | All children, regardless of income | Your Local council | |
| Wales | 2-3 years | 15 hours per week | Some working parents meeting income/benefit criteria. | “Flying Start” via your Family Information Service |
| 3-4 years | 30 hours per week | Working parents: min. 16 hrs/week at minimum wage, <£100k/year net | Your Welsh Gov childcare account | |
| Northern Ireland | 2-3 years | 12.5 hours per week | Based on setting availability | Education Authority NI |
| 3–4 years | 12.5 hours per week (22.5/week from Sept '25) | All children, regardless of income | Education Authority NI |
Other Government Childcare Support
In addition to the funded hours scheme there are other Government schemes that can help with childcare costs.
| Support Type | What You Get | Who It’s For | How to Apply |
| Tax-Free Childcare | £2 govt. top-up for every £8 you pay in (up to £2,000/year per child, £4,000 if disabled) | Working parents: min. 16 hrs/week at minimum wage, <£100k/year net. | Your Gov childcare account |
| Universal Credit (Childcare Costs) | Up to 85% of eligible costs paid back: max. £1031.88/month for 1 child, £1768.94 for 2+ children. | Parents on Universal Credit who are working >16 hours per week on national minimum wage. | Report costs via your Universal Credit portal |
| Support for Children with Disability | Up to £4,000/year top-up Tax-Free and Local Authority funding schemes. | Child receiving DLA or PIP. | Your Gov account and local authority |
| Employer Schemes | Salary sacrifice for workplace nursery or childcare vouchers schemes | Depends on your Employer. | Check with your HR team |
What are "free", or funded, childcare hours
Working parents in the UK can get free childcare. Up to 30 hours a week, for 38 weeks of the year. That’s basically term-time covered. This applies to children aged 3 to 4 years old. Government-funded childcare support extends from nine months of age until the child starts school.
But – and there’s always a but – you need to be eligible.
That usually means both parents (or a single parent) are working at least 16 hours a week and not earning more than £100,000 a year. You can still qualify if you’re self-employed or working multiple jobs. The system adds your earnings together. Eligible working parents can start using free childcare hours from the term after their child reaches the qualifying age.
There’s also 15 hours of free childcare for younger children. That’s usually for families on lower incomes. Eligible parents can start applying for 15 hours of childcare once their child is 23 weeks old. And from April 2024, there are more expansions coming, bit by bit. Some childcare providers may offer flexibility by spreading free childcare hours over a longer period if parents opt to use fewer hours per week.
Recent Changes to UK Childcare Support in 2025
The UK government has recently increased funded childcare provision. Parents can expect increased government expenditures on childcare services over the coming years.
Changes in England
As of April 2024, eligible working parents of two-year-olds gained access to 15 hours of free childcare per week, a provision that was extended in September 2024 to include eligible working parents with children aged 9 months to 2 years, reflecting the government's commitment to supporting childcare from early infancy until school age; furthermore, from September 2025, all under-5s (children aged 9 months to 4 years) are slated to become entitled to 30 hours of free childcare per week, although the specific eligibility and number of hours are dependent on the child's designated 'school age'.
Changes outside England
Currently, there are no universal plans for free childcare for children under two years old in Wales. However, local schemes - Flying Start (Wales), Sure Start (Northern Ireland), Early Learning and Childcare (Scotland) - provide up to 12.5 hours of free childcare per week to some two-year-olds living in more deprived areas or from low-income households.
Additionally Northern Ireland announced the Childcare Subsidy Scheme (NICSS) which offers an extra 15 percent reduction on childcare costs for those registered with the UK Tax-Free Childcare scheme.
30 hours free childcare
If you’re working and have a 3- or 4-year-old, you might be eligible for 30 free hours a week. It covers most of the school year (38 weeks) but not holidays. The total hours of free childcare can be utilized over specified periods such as 38 weeks during school term time or up to 52 weeks depending on weekly usage.
To qualify
You (and your partner, if you have one) must each earn at least £167 a week (equal to 16 hours at National Minimum Wage)
But not more than £100,000 per year
You can be self-employed or have multiple jobs
15 Hours for two-year-olds
This one’s for families who might need extra help. If your two-year-old is eligible, you can get 15 hours a week free.
To qualify
On Universal Credit, Income Support, or Jobseeker’s Allowance
Or have a household income under £15,400 (after tax)
Or the child has a disability or Education, Health and Care (EHC) plan
How to apply
As above the best start is to head to Childcare Choices, to review your options, and apply.
Tax-free childcare – what’s that about?
For every £8 you put in a special childcare account, the government adds £2. Up to £500 every three months per child. More if your child has a disability.
You can use this pot to pay for things like nursery fees, childminders, or after-school clubs. The childcare provider just needs to be ‘approved’. That means they’re registered and meet certain standards. However, childcare providers may charge additional fees for meals, nappies, and trips not covered by government-funded hours. You can check who’s approved on the Childcare Choices website.
Tax-Free Childcare is open to most working families and gives you a boost with every payment.
How to get started
You open a childcare account online
For every £8 you pay in, the government adds £2
Max £2,000 a year per child (or £4,000 if your child has a disability)
You can use this for nurseries, childminders, after-school clubs, and holiday clubs – as long as they’re registered.
Universal credit and other help
If you’re on Universal Credit, there’s extra support too. You could get up to £951 a month for one child, or £1,630 for two. That’s serious money – but again, there’s paperwork involved.
Some employers also offer help – think workplace nurseries or salary sacrifice schemes (although fewer places do this now).
How do you actually apply?
The Childcare Choices website is your starting point. It's the official hub where you check what you’re eligible for and apply. You’ll need your National Insurance number and to meet certain immigration requirements. The process is mostly online, and if you're stuck, your local council can help too.
You’ll need your National Insurance number and to meet certain immigration requirements. The process is mostly online, and if you're stuck, your local council can help too.
Approved childcare providers
Approved childcare providers are essential for delivering high-quality childcare services. To become an approved provider, childcare settings must meet certain standards and requirements, such as having qualified staff, a safe and healthy environment, and a suitable curriculum.
Parents can find approved childcare providers in their area by searching online or contacting their local authority. It’s crucial to research and visit potential providers to ensure they meet your child’s needs and provide a safe and nurturing environment.
Approved childcare providers can offer various types of care, including nursery care, childminding, and out-of-school clubs. They may also provide additional services, such as meals, snacks, and activities. Ensuring your childcare provider is approved means they meet the necessary standards to offer the best care for your child.
Managing childcare costs
Managing childcare costs can be challenging, especially for working parents. However, with the right support and planning, parents can reduce their childcare costs and make the most of the government’s schemes
Here are some tips for managing childcare costs:
Research and compare childcare providers to find the best value for money.
Use the Childcare Choices website to check your eligibility for free childcare hours and tax-free childcare.
Claim universal credit if you’re eligible, as it can provide support with childcare costs.
Consider using a childcare voucher scheme, which can provide tax-free childcare vouchers.
Plan ahead and book childcare in advance to avoid last-minute costs.
By understanding childcare costs and support, finding approved childcare providers, and managing childcare costs, working parents can balance their work and family responsibilities and provide the best possible care for their children.
Any finally - don't forget to update your details!
Most childcare support isn’t automatic. You have to apply for it. And you usually need to reconfirm your details every three months. Otherwise, you lose your funding. (Yes, it’s a bit of a faff – set reminders.)
So, is it worth the hassle or applying?
Absolutely. Getting help with childcare costs can make a big difference, whether you're going back to work or just trying to manage your budget better.
Right now, you can’t book directly using government-funded childcare through Poppet, but we’re working on integrating things like Tax-Free Childcare to make it easier for you in the future.
If you don’t qualify for the government schemes (many families don’t), or if you just need a bit more flexibility, Poppet is here to help. You can still book affordable, flexible care with DBS-checked carers, all through one simple platform.
We’ve got your back — because managing childcare should be easy, whether you qualify for government funding or not.
Written by Gemma Jones
