In a significant development, working parents in England with children between 9 months and 4 years old now have access to 30 hours of free childcare per week during term time. This expansion of the government-funded childcare scheme aims to support more families and provide greater flexibility for parents seeking to balance work and family responsibilities.
According to the latest figures, an additional 530,000 children are now benefiting from this increased provision, a testament to the government’s efforts to address the rising costs of childcare in the UK. The average cost of full-time nursery care for a child under 2 in England has decreased by 22% from 2024, now standing at £12,425 per year.
However, concerns persist about the availability of staff and childcare places to meet the growing demand. The Department for Education estimates that an additional 35,000 staff and 70,000 places will be needed by September 2025 to accommodate the increased free hours.
The childcare landscape varies across the UK, with Wales being the most expensive region for under-2s, at an average of £15,038 per year. In Northern Ireland, the costs range from £520 per month for children under 1 to £190 for 4-year-olds.
To qualify for the 30 hours of free childcare in England, the majority of parents must earn more than £9,518 but less than £100,000 per year. Those on certain benefits may also be eligible for 15 hours of free childcare for 2-year-olds.
The application process for these free childcare hours is straightforward, with parents required to apply once their child reaches 23 weeks old. The funding then begins at the start of the term after the child turns 9 months old.
While the government has increased the hourly rate it pays childcare providers, some have expressed concerns that this rate does not fully cover the costs, leading to additional charges for extras like meals and trips. This has resulted in nearly a quarter of parents surveyed by the Pregnant Then Screwed charity stating that they cannot afford to access the free childcare hours due to these top-up fees.
The availability of childcare places also remains a challenge, with the number of childminders decreasing and “childcare deserts” – areas with lower household incomes and higher levels of deprivation – continuing to struggle with limited options. Early years charities have raised concerns about the decline in the number of disadvantaged 2-year-olds receiving free hours, from 75% in 2024 to 65% in 2025.
Despite these ongoing issues, the government has pledged to create 100,000 additional childcare places and open more than 3,000 new nurseries in schools. The expansion of free childcare hours represents a significant step forward in supporting working families, but continued efforts are needed to ensure affordable and accessible childcare options are available across the country.