PARENTS have just one week left to sign up for free childcare worth up to £7,500.
The Department for Education (DfE) is rolling out more free childcare across England — but mums and dads must apply before August 31 if they want the cash boost from the start of the 2025/26 school year.
Only 45 per cent of low-income parents know about new free childcare hours[/caption]
From September, working families will be able to claim up to 30 hours of free childcare for children aged nine months to four years old.
Applications are already open if your child turns nine months between April 1 and August 31.
Early education minister Stephen Morgan said: “This landmark expansion of funded childcare will help parents save money, work in the jobs they love, and give more children the best start through high-quality early education.”
The new offer is the final stage of a three-part rollout.
The first phase began in April 2024 when eligible parents of two-year-olds could apply for 15 free hours.
In September 2024, the second phase extended 15 free hours to children aged nine months to three years.
The full 30 hours a week, starting next month, marks the completion of the plan, which was first announced during the 2023 Spring Statement by the previous Conservative government.
Before the expansion, families could only access 15 free hours for three and four-year-olds.
Now, the Government says those using the full 30 hours will save around £7,500 a year.
Mum-of-two Holly Yildiz is among those set to benefit. She said: “Formal childcare has been brilliant for my children – it’s amazing to see how much they’ve grown, not just with learning but in confidence and friendships too.
“I really feel like they’re being set up for school and life in the best way.
“The financial support has been a huge help – both children will get 30 funded hours from September, which takes a big weight off our shoulders.”
Despite the savings, not every parent is aware of the change.
Research by the DfE revealed that just 45 per cent of parents earning under £20,000 a year know about the extra hours on offer.
By comparison, 81 per cent of families on more than £65,000 are aware of the scheme.
To qualify, you must be classed as a “working parent”.
That means you must individually earn more than £9,518 a year, but less than £100,000.
If you are in a couple, both parents must earn at least £9,518. Neither can make more than £100,000 adjusted net income, which includes salary, rental income and freelance earnings.
Families in England can apply through the government website.
You must first set up a childcare account. If approved, you’ll be sent an 11-digit code which proves you are eligible.
That code should then be passed on to your childcare provider.
To continue receiving the free hours, parents must reconfirm their details every three months.
When applying, you will need your National Insurance number and, if you are self-employed, your Unique Taxpayer Reference number.
You may also be asked for your child’s UK birth certificate reference number and the date you are due to start work.
The Government has said the application should take around 20 minutes to complete.
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
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Applications now open for parents of babies turning nine months before August 31[/caption]