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

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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鈥� 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鈥� funded childcare can be accessed free of charge.

To apply, visit: (accessible by MOD personnel only).

In non-DCS schools or settings, parents can claim a refund via: (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聽[email protected]聽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鈥檚 third birthday.

Additional hours

In England and Wales, additional hours are only available to working parents who can answer 鈥測es鈥� to one or more of the following:

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

In Scotland, visit or 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 (accessible by MOD personnel only).

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