Guidance

Free Early Years Childcare entitlement for children aged 9 months to 4 years (including 15 or 30 hours' free childcare)

Updated 12 August 2024

© Crown copyright 2024

This publication is licensed under the terms of the Open Government Licence v3.0 except where otherwise stated. To view this licence, visit nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3 or write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gov.uk.

Where we have identified any third party copyright information you will need to obtain permission from the copyright holders concerned.

This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-for-service-personnel-and-their-families-on-child-welfare-policies/free-early-years-childcare-entitlement-for-three-and-four-year-olds-including-30-hours-free-childcare

The Offer

UK

  • England: 15 hours for children aged 3 and 4; 15 or 30 hours for children aged 9 months to 4 years with working parents.
  • Scotland: at least 600 funded hours per year (up to 1140 hours in some local authority areas).
  • Wales: up to 30 hours’ free early education/childcare for working parents for 48 weeks of the year.
  • Northern Ireland: 12.5 hours per week of free pre-school education.

Overseas

In MOD schools/settings, 15 and 30 hours of free childcare can be accessed free of charge. Parents should apply via their childcare/early learning/nursery setting.

In Defence Children Services (DCS)-provided schools or settings, 15 and 30 hours’ funded childcare can be accessed free of charge.

To apply, visit: DIN - Funded childcare entitlements and processes for overseas Service personnel and UK-Based Civil Servants (UKBCs) with accompanying pre-school aged children (accessible by MOD personnel only).

In non-DCS schools or settings, parents can claim a refund via: DIN - Funded childcare entitlements and processes for overseas Service personnel and UK-Based Civil Servants (UKBCs) with accompanying pre-school aged children (accessible by MOD personnel only).

What parents need to do

  1. Before accepting an overseas assignment, we encourage all parents to contact the Overseas Education and Supportability team at RC-DCS-HQ-OES@mod.gov.uk for advice and guidance.
  2. If moving within the UK, check what the local offer is prior to moving to avoid missing out on free hours.
  3. Engage with nurseries early.

Eligibility

Every parent with children aged 3 and 4 years is eligible for the basic free childcare entitlement from the term following their child’s third birthday.

Additional hours

In England and Wales, additional hours are only available to working parents who can answer “yes” to one or more of the following:

  • Do both you and your partner work 16 hours a week or more (earning at least National Minimum Wage (NMW) or National Living Wage (NLW)?
  • Is your individual annual employment income below £100,000?
  • Are you a single parent?
  • Are you on paid maternity leave?
  • Are you a registered carer?

In Scotland, visit Parent Club or mygov.scot for information about early learning and childcare (ELC).

If you have any issues applying online for the Free Early Years Childcare, please call the Childcare Service Helpline on 0300 123 4097.

In overseas locations, the MOD will mirror entitlements which parents would have access to in England to ensure they are not disadvantaged.

For full details, please read DIN - Funded childcare entitlements and processes for overseas Service personnel and UK Based Civil Servants (UKBCs)with accompanying pre-school aged children (accessible by MOD personnel only).

Back to top