UK: What to know about how free childcare in England works

Parents in England may be eligible for free childcare for children aged 9 months to 4 years, depending on factors such as employment status, income, and immigration status.

The number of free hours available varies based on the child’s age and the parent’s circumstances.

Eligibility Based on Child’s Age

The amount of free childcare a parent can receive depends on their child’s age.

Children between 9 months and 2 years old can receive up to 15 hours per week, while children aged 3 to 4 years old can receive up to 30 hours per week.

Children must live with the applicant to qualify. Foster carers can apply if they are in paid work outside of fostering and have an adjusted net income below £100,000.

However, they must apply through their local authority and social worker rather than the standard online process.

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Eligibility for Working Parents

Parents can usually access free childcare if they (and their partner, if applicable) are employed, self-employed, or directors of a company.

They also qualify if they are on sick leave, annual leave, or parental leave, including maternity, paternity, adoption, or shared parental leave.

Parents about to start a new job can also apply, but their start date determines when they can begin receiving free childcare.

The childcare hours begin in specific school terms based on when a parent starts or returns to work.

Parents who are not currently working may still qualify if their partner is working and they receive one of the following benefits: Incapacity Benefit, Severe Disablement Allowance, Carer’s Allowance, Limited Capability for Work Benefit, or Contribution-based Employment and Support Allowance.

Income Requirements

Over the next three months, parents (and their partners, if applicable) must each expect to earn at least £2,380 before tax if aged 21 or over (£183 per week), £1,788 before tax if aged 18 to 20 (£137 per week), or £1,331 before tax if under 18 or an apprentice (£102 per week).

Self-employed parents who do not meet this threshold over the next three months can use their expected average earnings for the tax year instead.

If they started their business within the last 12 months, they may qualify with lower earnings.

Parents earning more than £100,000 per year (individually) are not eligible. Certain types of income, such as dividends, rental income, and pensions, do not count toward the minimum earnings requirement.

Immigration Status

To qualify, parents must have a National Insurance number and meet one of the following conditions: be a British or Irish citizen, have settled or pre-settled status (or have applied and are awaiting a decision), or have permission to access public funds, which will be indicated on their UK residence card.

How to Apply

Parents can check their eligibility and apply through the official UK government website. Foster carers must apply through their local authority and social worker.

(BBC, GOV.UK)

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