How many hours a year is 15 hours free childcare?

15 hours a week is funded for 38 term-time weeks, which is 570 funded hours a year. Providers may let you spread these over more weeks at fewer hours a week if they offer stretched funding.

Should I take 15 hours or apply for 30 hours?

If you are a working parent, you may qualify for 30 hours instead of 15 — that is 1140 funded hours a year rather than 570. The universal 15 hours needs no income test; the working-parent 30 hours does. Check which you qualify for and claim the larger entitlement.

Can I use 15 hours free childcare with other help?

Yes — funded hours combine with Tax-Free Childcare (a 20% top-up, up to £2,000 per child a year) for extra hours and registered costs. You cannot use Tax-Free Childcare and the Universal Credit childcare element together for the same child.

GeraJobs / Childcare costs / 15 hours free childcare

15 hours free childcare: the two routes explained

In England there are two ways to get 15 hours free childcare: a universal 15 hours for every 3 and 4 year old regardless of income, and a separate 15 hours for eligible 2 year olds. This page shows the published 2026 scheme year (England) rules for both; every figure is official.

Who can get 15 hours free childcare in England?

There are two routes to 15 hours a week. Every 3 and 4 year old gets a universal 15 hours (570 hours a year over 38 weeks) regardless of income. Separately, eligible 2 year olds — for example families on certain benefits — also get 15 hours. Working parents of younger children can get more (30 hours). Source: GOV.UK.

Source:GOV.UK — Help paying for childcare (HM Government / DfE / HMRC / DWP)·As of 2026 scheme year (England) · updated annually (each scheme / tax year) · last refreshed 25 June 2026

Two routes to 15 hours (2026 scheme year (England))

Universal 15 hours — all 3 and 4 year olds

15ha week

570 hours a year
Ages: 3–4 years
No income test

Universal — all 3 and 4 year olds in England, regardless of income. 570 funded hours a year, usually 15 hours a week over 38 weeks (can be stretched over more weeks at fewer hours if the provider offers it).

Eligible 2 year olds

15ha week

570 hours a year
Ages: 2–3 years
Eligibility test applies

For 2 year olds whose family gets extra support — e.g. Universal Credit with household income £15,400/yr or less after tax; Income Support; income-based JSA; income-related ESA; the guarantee element of Pension Credit; or the child has an EHC plan, gets DLA, or has left care. 15 hours a week for 38 weeks.

Working parents may get 30 hours instead

If you are a working parent, you may qualify for the larger 30 hours entitlement — that is 1140 funded hours a year rather than 570, and it now covers children from 9 months old. The universal 15 hours needs no income test; the working-parent 30 hours does. Always claim the larger entitlement you qualify for.

See 30 hours free childcare eligibility →

Combining 15 hours with other help

Funded hours can be used alongside Tax-Free Childcare — a 20% government top-up, up to £2,000 per child a year — which helps with extra hours, meals and other registered costs the funded hours do not cover. What you cannot do is claim Tax-Free Childcare and the Universal Credit childcare element for the same child at the same time.

15 hours free childcare — FAQ

Do all 3 and 4 year olds get 15 hours free childcare?: Yes. The universal 15 hours is not income-tested: Universal — all 3 and 4 year olds in England, regardless of income. 570 funded hours a year, usually 15 hours a week over 38 weeks (can be stretched over more weeks at fewer hours if the provider offers it).
Which 2 year olds get 15 hours free childcare?: For 2 year olds whose family gets extra support — e.g. Universal Credit with household income £15,400/yr or less after tax; Income Support; income-based JSA; income-related ESA; the guarantee element of Pension Credit; or the child has an EHC plan, gets DLA, or has left care. 15 hours a week for 38 weeks.
How many hours a year is 15 hours free childcare?: 15 hours a week is funded for 38 term-time weeks, which is 570 funded hours a year. Providers may let you spread these over more weeks at fewer hours a week if they offer stretched funding.
Should I take 15 hours or apply for 30 hours?: If you are a working parent, you may qualify for 30 hours instead of 15 — that is 1140 funded hours a year rather than 570. The universal 15 hours needs no income test; the working-parent 30 hours does. Check which you qualify for and claim the larger entitlement.
Can I use 15 hours free childcare with other help?: Yes — funded hours combine with Tax-Free Childcare (a 20% top-up, up to £2,000 per child a year) for extra hours and registered costs. You cannot use Tax-Free Childcare and the Universal Credit childcare element together for the same child.

Related on GeraJobs

30 hours free childcare — the working-parent entitlement (9 months to 4 years).
Universal Credit childcare costs — help with the registered costs funded hours do not cover.
All UK childcare costs help — free hours, Tax-Free Childcare and Universal Credit in one place.

2026 scheme year (England). England only — childcare is devolved, so Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland run different free-hours schemes. Source: gov.uk free childcare for 3 to 4 year olds, gov.uk free childcare for eligible 2 year olds and GOV.UK — Help paying for childcare (HM Government / DfE / HMRC / DWP). Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0 (OGL v3.0). GeraJobs presents these published figures — no figure is modelled or invented. For your eligibility and to apply, use gov.uk/help-with-childcare-costs.