England expands free childcare to 30 hours a week for nine-month-olds
The government increases funded hours for children aged nine months to four years, with eligibility rules, term-time limitations, and guidance on potential extra charges from nurseries.
England’s free childcare offer has expanded this month to 30 hours per week for eligible children aged nine months to four years, up from 15 hours for younger children previously. The entitlement applies during term time and could save families up to about £7,500 per child per year, depending on nursery fees and how many funded hours are used. The change aims to ease the cost burden for working families and support parental wellbeing and child development.
The new entitlement begins the term after a child turns nine months old. For example, if a child becomes nine months old in August, the next term would start in September, with two additional terms in January and April. To qualify, both parents must be in paid work (or about to start), with each earning between the equivalent of 16 hours per week at the national minimum wage and £100,000 per year. Single parents can apply if they meet the same criteria. The funding covers up to 30 hours per week over a 38-week term year, totaling 1,140 hours per child annually.
In practical terms, the standard offer is 30 funded hours per week during term time (38 weeks a year). Nurseries, however, may charge for extras such as meals, nappies and other consumables, optional activities, or additional hours beyond the funded amount. These extras must be voluntary and not a precondition for accessing the funded hours; nurseries cannot impose top-up fees, registration fees, or deposits as a condition of receiving the funded hours. Parents can sometimes provide their own nappies or snacks to control costs, if the nursery agrees.
Beyond the standard term-time model, many nurseries offer a “stretched” option that spreads the 1,140 funded hours across the whole year. If you choose this, weekly funded hours are lower. For example, spreading 1,140 hours across 52 weeks would provide about 22 funded hours per week, with any additional hours charged separately. A nursery can help families understand how this would look in practice and what the monthly or weekly costs would be.
The government encourages families to check eligibility and apply through gov.uk. It’s wise to apply well before you need care so everything is in place when you return to work. You’ll need to re-confirm eligibility every three months via your childcare account to keep your funded place active, so setting reminders can help avoid lapses.
Experts emphasize planning with the chosen nursery, particularly around what is included in the funded hours and what would incur extra charges. Karen Woodcock, an early years manager at Family Action, notes that the funding is designed to help families balance work and home life and improve access to quality childcare; nurseries can usually explain their fee structures and help families plan around them. Natasha Percy-Baxter, a financial adviser, adds that the entitlement can deliver substantial savings, and that the nine-month eligibility window opens up a new tier of support for parents who are returning to work soon after birth.
If you’re weighing options, talk to your nursery about whether you can supply some extras yourself (for example nappies or snacks) and whether they offer any cheaper meal plans or bundled activity options. Also ask whether a stretched arrangement could work for your family’s schedule, and how that would affect your weekly or monthly costs. The overarching goal of the policy is to reduce the stress of balancing work and childcare and to support consistent, high-quality care for young children.
While the funding provides meaningful support, families should be aware that nurseries may charge for items beyond the funded hours. Understanding your nursery’s fee policy before agreeing to a place can help avoid unexpected costs and ensure you’re getting the best value from the funded hours. In the broader health context, reducing childcare costs can help alleviate parental stress and support maternal mental health and early child development, which public-health advocates say are important components of family well-being.
