Government Support for Nursery Childcare in the UK – Sep 2025 Update

UK Wide - Tax-Free Childcare

• 20% government top-up on childcare costs (pay 80p per £1 spent).

• Up to £2,000 per year per child (£4,000 if disabled).
  Check out our Nuuri guide on how to open your account today

Scotland

Free Early Learning and Childcare (ELC)

• Eligibility: All 3 and 4-year-olds are entitled to up to 1,140 hours of free early learning and childcare each year.

• Flexibility: Hours can be taken as ~30 hours per week during term time, or spread throughout the year.

• 2-Year-Olds: Eligible if families meet certain criteria (benefits such as Income Support, Jobseeker’s Allowance, Employment and Support Allowance, or Universal Credit under income thresholds).

England

New Funded Hours in 2025

The government’s phased expansion of funded childcare has now fully rolled out:

• From April 2024: Working parents of 2-year-olds gained access to 15 free hours per week.

• From September 2024: The same offer extended to children from 9 months old.

• From September 2025 (this month): Working parents of children from 9 months up to 5 years are now entitled to 30 free hours per week (term-time, or fewer hours stretched across the year).

This marks the most significant change to childcare funding in England in recent years, effectively extending the “30 hours” scheme to cover almost the entire pre-school period.

Eligibility Criteria

• Both parents (or the sole parent in a single-parent family) must be working and earning at least the minimum income threshold (around 16 hours per week at minimum wage).

• Each parent must earn less than £100,000 annually.

• Children must be aged 9 months to school age to qualify.

Support for 2-Year-Olds (Non-Working Parents)

Some families still qualify for 15 free hours for 2-year-olds if they meet benefit-related criteria (Income Support, Universal Credit below thresholds, Child/Working Tax Credit).

Additional Support

• Tax-Free Childcare: 20% top-up continues for eligible families.

• Universal Credit Childcare Element: Up to 85% of childcare costs, with limits of £646 per month for one child and £1,108 for two or more children.

Wales

Free Childcare for 3- and 4-Year-Olds

• Working parents can access up to 30 hours of free early education and childcare during term time, plus up to 9 weeks of additional provision during school holidays.

Flying Start Programme

• Provides free childcare (approx. 12.5 hours per week) for 2- to 3-year-olds in disadvantaged areas.

Other Support

• Families can also access Tax-Free Childcare and the Universal Credit childcare element.

Final Thoughts

The UK government’s expansion of funded hours in England is designed to reduce costs significantly for families and make returning to work more viable. For many parents, especially of under-3s, this will be the first time they can access such a high level of funded childcare.

As always, check your local authority’s website for the latest details, as funding can be managed differently depending on where you live.

- For tailored insights, try our [Nuuri Cost Calculator].
- Learn more about nursery costs in our [Nursery Cost Guide].
- Explore what to look for with our [Nursery Search Checklist].
- Read our [Nursery Waiting Lists Guide].