Families across England are facing a critical deadline, with just 24 hours remaining to secure a significant childcare benefit. Parents hoping to access 30 hours of free childcare per week for children aged nine months to four years must submit their application by 31 December 2025 to receive the support from the start of January 2026.
What is the Free Childcare Scheme?
The government's Free Childcare for Working Parents initiative, administered by HMRC, can provide eligible families with childcare worth an estimated £7,500 per year. The scheme offers 30 hours of free care per week for 38 weeks of the year, significantly easing the financial burden on working households.
Eligibility is not automatic and depends on several key factors. These include the child's age and circumstances, the employment status of the parents, their combined income, and immigration status. Crucially, you or your partner cannot have an 'adjusted net income' exceeding £100,000 in the current tax year to qualify.
Who is Eligible to Apply?
To be eligible, you (and your partner, if applicable) must be in paid work, starting a new job, or be on certain types of leave, including sick leave, annual leave, or parental leave. There are also minimum expected income thresholds to meet over the next three months:
- £2,539.68 before tax if aged 21 or over (approx. £195.36 per week).
- £2,080 before tax if aged 18 to 20 (approx. £160 per week).
- £1,570.40 before tax if under 18 or an apprentice (approx. £120.80 per week).
Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson commented on the rollout, stating: "Today shows what change looks like – mums, dads and carers with pounds back in their pockets, children getting the best start in life, and the British economy given a huge boost." She added that this was just the beginning of a broader vision for accessible, high-quality early years provision.
What If You Miss the Deadline or Aren't Eligible?
For those who miss this deadline, the next opportunity to apply will be for a later start date. It is important to note that the online application service cannot be used by everyone; for instance, foster parents must speak directly to their social worker and local authority.
If you do not qualify for this specific scheme, alternative support may be available. All three and four-year-olds in England are entitled to 15 hours of free weekly childcare. Furthermore, some two-year-olds may be eligible for free early education if they or their parent receives certain forms of extra support.
The Labour Party government has emphasised that families should explore all avenues for help with childcare costs, urging parents to check their eligibility for other support programmes.
