In the UK, families with young children can receive government-funded childcare support to help manage the rising cost of early education. The 15 or 30 hours free childcare schemes are designed to give children access to quality early years education while supporting working parents and carers.
These hours are part of the Early Years Entitlement Funding provided through local authorities and can be used at registered childcare providers like nurseries, childminders, or preschool settings, including bilingual programs like ours at Hatching Dragons.
The 15 hours free childcare is available to all 3- and 4-year-olds in England, regardless of household income. Some 2-year-olds may also qualify based on specific criteria (e.g., income-based benefits or education, care status).
The 30 hours free childcare is available to eligible working families and offers double the support, making it ideal for parents balancing childcare with work or study.
In short: 15 hours is a universal offer, while 30 hours is based on income and work status.
Here’s how eligibility breaks down for each scheme:
|
Scheme |
Who’s Eligible? |
When It Starts |
|
15 Hours |
All 3- and 4-year-olds |
Term after child turns 3 |
|
30 Hours |
Working families earning at least £183/week (single) or £152/week (each in couple), and less than £100,000/year |
Term after child turns 3 |
Some 2-year-olds may qualify for 15 hours based on income or circumstances. You can check eligibility on the Gov.uk childcare calculator →
You must meet the income requirements at the time of applying and reconfirm your eligibility every three months. If your income changes during the year, your eligibility for 30 free hours may be affected, but there’s often a grace period to give you time to adjust.
To apply for 15 or 30 hours free childcare, you’ll need to set up a Government Childcare Account. This is the same portal used to access Tax-Free Childcare, so you can manage both in one place.
Steps:
Apply the term before you want the funding to start. For example, to start in September, apply by the end of August.
You’ll need:
Deadlines:
At Hatching Dragons, we help families complete the process and ensure codes are validated in time, Contact us for support.
If your circumstances have changed and you’re now eligible for 30 hours, you can switch at the start of the next term. You’ll need to:
The switch is usually smooth, especially if your child is already enrolled in a nursery. The provider will adjust the number of funded hours allocated to your child. If you’re switching to Hatching Dragons, we’ll help guide you through this transition with full transparency on funding allocation, hours, and fees.
The most noticeable difference between 15 and 30 free childcare hours is the amount of time your child can attend nursery for free each week.
|
Funding Type |
Weekly Hours |
Coverage |
Term Length |
|
15 Hours |
Up to 15 hours/week |
Part-time care |
38 weeks/year (term time) |
|
30 Hours |
Up to 30 hours/week |
Full-time care |
38 weeks/year (or 22 hrs/week over 51 weeks if stretched) |
The 30-hour scheme allows for much more flexible planning, especially for working parents managing careers, school runs, and daily routines.
While the government funds the hours, it’s important to note that each childcare provider may deliver them differently. Some may:
At Hatching Dragons, we provide transparent breakdowns of how funded hours are applied and work with families to build schedules that meet their needs.
Early Years Funding includes:
This funding aims to provide high-quality early education that lays the foundation for lifelong learning and development.
Local councils distribute early years funding to registered providers like Hatching Dragons. Councils:
We maintain full compliance with council requirements and keep parents updated on how local funding cycles may impact term dates or availability.
Tax-Free Childcare is a government scheme where for every £8 you pay into your online childcare account, the government adds £2, up to £500 every 3 months.
Yes, you can use this alongside the 15 or 30 hours free childcare. It can help cover:
Example: If your child attends full-day care and the funded hours cover only part of the day, Tax-Free Childcare can help with the rest.
Many families combine different types of support. For example:
Each family’s situation is unique, and we’re here to help you navigate it.
Yes. These schemes are compatible and can be used together.
No. Only registered childcare providers with local council agreements offer funded places. Hatching Dragons is a fully registered provider.
You must reconfirm eligibility every 3 months. If your income changes and you’re no longer eligible, a grace period allows your child to continue receiving 30 hours temporarily while you adjust.