30 Hours of Funded Childcare Now Live for Working Parents with Babies and Toddlers
The final phase of the UK government's childcare expansion rolled out in September 2025, giving eligible working parents access to 30 hours per week of funded childcare from nine months old until school age—saving families up to £7,500 per year.
Working parents across England now have access to 30 hours of government-funded childcare per week from the time their child is just nine months old — a landmark expansion that came into full effect in September 2025. This completes a three-phase rollout that began in April 2024.
Since September 2025, all eligible working parents can claim 30 hours per week (1,140 hours a year) of funded childcare for children from nine months until they start school. Eligible working parents can access up to 30 hours of funded childcare a week, saving them up to £7,500 a year per child. With savings from the government's free breakfast club rollout and school uniform cap, this rises to up to £8,000 for working parents who also have school-aged children, every year.
Eligibility and New Nursery Places
To be eligible for the expanded entitlements, a person, and their partner if they have one, must generally expect to earn the equivalent of at least 16 hours a week at the National Living Wage. Funding for 300 new school-based nurseries has been confirmed, creating thousands of places for children across England from September 2025. A school-based nursery operates out of an existing primary school, which can mean easier drop-offs and pick-ups for parents.
If you are a working parent relocating to the UK with children under three, this is a major saving on early childcare costs—often the largest expense for families with young children. Check your eligibility at childcarechoices.gov.uk; if both parents (or one if single) work at least 16 hours per week, you can apply for 30 free hours starting the term after your child turns nine months. Apply at least 2–3 months before the date you need the place — popular settings fill up quickly. School-based nurseries in your area may have additional availability and convenience for school runs.
Sources
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