Question 1

Can I get 30 hours free childcare if I'm self-employed?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Self-employed parents qualify if they expect to earn at least the minimum income threshold for their age (£10,159/year for age 21+, £8,320 for ages 18-20, £6,282 for under 18 or apprentices). If you're newly self-employed (under 12 months), you may still qualify even if your earnings are below the threshold. You'll need to confirm your expected income when applying through the Childcare Choices website.

Question 2

What if one parent doesn't work?

Accepted Answer

For the 30 hours extended entitlement in England, both parents normally need to be working. However, if your partner is not working because they receive Incapacity Benefit, Severe Disablement Allowance, Carer's Allowance, or contribution-based ESA, your household can still qualify. All 3-4 year olds get the universal 15 hours regardless of work status. In Scotland, the full 1,140 hours is universal for all 3-4 year olds with no work requirement.

Question 3

Do I get funded hours during school holidays?

Accepted Answer

Funded hours are based on 38 weeks per year (term time). However, many nurseries offer 'stretched' funding where you can spread the hours across more weeks at fewer hours per week. In Scotland, you can choose 30 hours over 38 weeks or approximately 22 hours over 52 weeks year-round.

Question 4

What happens if my income changes?

Accepted Answer

If your income drops below the minimum threshold or rises above £100,000, you have a grace period. You'll keep your eligibility until the end of the current term, then for one more term. You must reconfirm your eligibility every 3 months through the Childcare Choices website to maintain your funding.

Question 5

Can I use funded hours at any nursery?

Accepted Answer

You can use funded hours at any Ofsted-registered nursery, pre-school, or childminder in England, or any Care Inspectorate-registered setting in Scotland. Not all providers offer funded places, so check with your preferred nursery. Some may have waiting lists for funded places.

Question 6

When should I apply for funded childcare?

Accepted Answer

Apply at least 2-3 months before the term your child becomes eligible. Application deadlines: 31 December for January term, 31 March for April term, 31 August for September term. Apply via childcarechoices.gov.uk (England) or contact your local council (Scotland).

Question 7

Can I combine Tax-Free Childcare with funded hours?

Accepted Answer

Yes, you can use Tax-Free Childcare (TFC) to pay for any childcare costs above your funded hours. However, you cannot use TFC at the same time as Universal Credit childcare support or childcare vouchers. If you're on Universal Credit, compare whether TFC (20% government top-up, up to £2,000/year) or UC childcare (85% of costs back, up to £1,031.88/month) saves you more — you must choose one.

Question 8

What's the difference between England and Scotland funding?

Accepted Answer

In England, working parents of 9-month-olds to school age can get 30 funded hours (38 weeks/year) if they meet income criteria. In Scotland, ALL 3-4 year olds get 1,140 hours/year regardless of work status, but there's no funded childcare for under-2s. Scotland's funding can be taken flexibly (term-time or all year round).

Question 9

My 2-year-old has a disability or is in care — do they get free hours?

Accepted Answer

Yes. In England, 2-year-olds qualify for 15 free hours if they have an Education, Health and Care (EHC) plan, receive Disability Living Allowance (DLA), are looked after by a local authority, or left care under an adoption, special guardianship, or child arrangements order. This applies regardless of your income or work status. In Scotland, children looked after by council or in kinship care also qualify for 1,140 funded hours from age 2.

Government Funding Eligibility Checker

Where do you live?

Frequently Asked Questions

Related Tools

Tax-Free Childcare Calculator

Childcare Cost Calculator

Start Date Planner

Find the Right Nursery with Confidence

We use cookies

Where do you live?