30-Hour Funded Childcare Now Live for Babies From 9 Months
All eligible working parents can now claim 30 hours of government-funded childcare per week for children from nine months old—saving families up to £7,500 yearly. Wraparound care covering 8am–6pm is rolling out in schools nationwide.
Expansion timeline
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. This represents a major expansion from the previous 15-hour entitlement that only started at age three.
All eligible working parents of children who will be 9 months old before 1 September can access up to 30 hours of funded childcare a week, saving them up to £7,500 a year per child.
How wraparound care works
From September 2024, the national wraparound childcare programme commenced with the ambition that by September 2026 most working parents will be able to access wraparound childcare that is either on their school site or within the local community. This wraparound childcare offer will be available during term time for parents with primary school-aged children.
During term time, parents of primary school-aged children can pay for their child to access childcare from 8am to 6pm, including breakfast clubs and after-school care. These services can be offered by schools or private, voluntary, and independent (PVI) providers like childminders, out of school and early years settings.
What it means for expat families
Working parents who individually earn more than £9,518 (from April 2024) but less than £100,000 per year are eligible. If you're in a couple, the rules apply to both of you, so you must both earn at least £9,518 and neither one of you can earn more than £100,000 adjusted net income. The 30-hour entitlement applies over 38 weeks of the year—the school term weeks. During holidays including Easter 2026, the funded hours are not available unless your provider is a nursery or childminder who operates a "stretched" offer.
As an expat parent on a work visa earning within the eligible range, you can apply for the childcare entitlement immediately. Check whether your provider offers a stretched offer across all 52 weeks if you need continuity during school holidays. Contact your local school or council for a list of approved wraparound providers in your area.
Sources
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