From September 2025, more working parents can get up to 30 hours' childcare

From September 2025, eligible working parents in England will be able to access up to 30 hours of childcare per week - starting the term after their child turns nine months old, right up until they start school. 

The childcare expansion is designed to help parents manage the cost of childcare and give them the flexibility they need to work, whilst their child develops independence and confidence, getting them ready for school.

Here’s what’s changing, who’s eligible and how to apply.

What’s changing?

Right now, eligible working parents can access up to 15 hours of funded childcare per week for children aged nine months up to 3 years old, and up to 30 hours from the term after they turn 3 until they start school.

From September 2025 this will expand, so eligible working families will be eligible for 30 hours from the term after their child turns 9 months old until they start school.

That’s a significant potential saving - and a big deal for parents looking to return to work sooner. 

If you’re already using 15 hours for working families, you don’t need to reapply. Simply reconfirm your details as usual and your existing code will automatically cover the 30 hours - as long as you’re still eligible and your childcare provider has confirmed your new attendance pattern.

Who is eligible? 

To qualify for the 30 hours from September 2025, you (and your partner, if you have one) must:

• Be working (or due to start a new job)

• Earn at least the minimum required over the next three months (the equivalent of 16 hours a week at minimum wage for your age) 

• Earn less than £100,000 in adjusted net income per year, per parent

• Live in England

You're also eligible if you're on certain types of leave (like maternity, paternity, adoption or sick leave). If you’re self-employed, freelance or on a zero-hours contract, you may still be eligible, even if your income varies. 

Even if you're not eligible for the 30 hours, remember: all three- and four-year-olds are entitled to 15 hours a week, regardless of household income or employment status.

How much do I need to earn? 

You’ll need to be earning the equivalent of 16 hours a week at minimum wage. That means:

The same applies to your partner if you live together. 

Self-employed? The income threshold is based on your expected earnings, not your actual profits - and you can combine multiple jobs. Find more information in the FAQs on the Childcare Choices website.

You can also combine multiple jobs (employed or self-employed) to meet the threshold. Income from investments, pensions or property does not count.

Eligible working parents can access up to 30 hours of childcare to help from September

What if I’m on leave or starting a new job?

You can still apply if you’re:

• On shared parental, maternity, paternity or adoption leave

• Starting a new job within the next 31 days

• Returning to work from leave in line with term dates

• In a couple and your partner is working and eligible

The timing of when you return or start work affects when your funded hours can begin. Here’s how it works:

If your start date is more than 31 days before term begins, you’ll need to call HMRC’s childcare service helpline after starting your online application.

What about immigration status?

To apply, you (and your partner, if applicable) must have a National Insurance number and have one of the following:

• British or Irish citizenship

• Settled or pre-settled status

• Permission to access public funds - your UK residence card will tell you if you cannot do this

When can my child start?

It’s a good idea to contact your preferred childcare provider as early as possible to secure your place. Once you have found your preferred provider, you can begin the application process.

You can apply up to 16 weeks before your child turns nine months. But it’s wise to apply at least six weeks before the term you want the funding to start — some providers may ask for codes earlier.

What does the funding cover?

The 30 hours covers 38 weeks a year (so up to a total of 1140 hours over the year).

You can use it at:

• Nurseries

• Preschool settings

• Registered childminders

• Some wraparound providers

But there are a few things to be aware of: 

• Funding doesn’t cover meals, nappies, additional hours or optional extras like trips, so you may be asked to pay for these

• Charges for these extras must not be mandatory, or a condition of accessing your place

• You can choose any Ofsted-registered childcare provider, including nurseries, childminders and playgroups, but you can’t use your funded hours for a nanny, or childcare provided by a relative (like a grandparent)

Some providers will also stretch the funding over the year - so instead of 30 hours a week for 38 weeks, you might get fewer hours each week for 48 or 51 weeks, helping with cover during school holidays.

What Mumsnet users say

We held focus groups in June 2025 with select Mumsnet users to delve into how funded childcare helps them and their families. Here's what they had to say.

Making work possible

"If it had not been for the [funded] working parents childcare then I would not have been able to return to work, so it has been a godsend." - Charlotte*, 34-year-old mum of two

"Childcare is vital for me and my husband to be able to work . My parents can only support us with childcare on the days that my Mum doesn't work herself. So using a mixture of formal and informal, plus our own flexible working is the only way we could make us both working full time sustainable." - Kim, 36-year-old mum of two

Creating opportunities for families

"I love my job, I love my career, and I love that my husband and I can both work to give our children the best start in life and be able to afford things that otherwise we wouldn't be able to - such as holidays, or days out. Childcare and the funded hours make that possible." - Kim, 36-year-old mum of two

Accessing more childcare

"We would not have been able to afford my DS attending for three days without the funded hours support. He would have definitely still attended nursery but it would have been maybe just a day or two." - Naomi, 39-year-old mum of two

*Not their real name

What if I’m on a tight budget? 

Even with 30 hours covered, some parents still face top-up fees for meals or longer days, term-time only gaps (which is especially tricky if you work year-round) and upfront costs or deposits. So how do you plan for that? 

• Ask providers what’s included and what isn’t 

• Find out if they offer year-round stretched funding 

• Check if you're eligible for extra help like: 

• Tax-Free Childcare (up to £2,000/year per child) 

• Universal Credit Childcare support (up to 85% of costs) 

• Free breakfast clubs (in participating primary schools) 

Read next: How early education and childcare helps prepare children for school