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The Childcare Choices website provides information on the current Government childcare offers.​

All three and four year olds are entitled to 570 hours a year over no fewer than 38 weeks of the year 3, 4 and up to 52 weeks of the year, from the relevant date, as set out below, until the child reaches compulsory school age (the beginning of the term following their fifth birthday).

This equates to 15 hours a week for 38 weeks of the year. Children may stretch their entitlement over more than 38 weeks (and up to 52 weeks). This means taking fewer hours per week, subject to a maximum of 570 hours a year.

Children who have been admitted to primary school and are attending a maintained school reception class are not entitled to any additional free hours outside their school reception class place as local authorities can meet their duty to secure the universal entitlement through reception class provision.

A child will be entitled to the additional free hours from the term after both of the following conditions are satisfied:  (1) The child has attained the age of three;  (2) The child’s parent has a current positive determination of eligibility from HMRC.

Eligibility for the additional free hours is determined by HMRC through an online application.

The eligibility criteria for the additional hours are set out below:

A child is entitled to extended entitlement early years provision if the child has attained the age of three, is under compulsory school age and the child’s parent(s) meets the eligibility criteria set out below:

• The parent of the child (and their partner where applicable) should be seeking the free childcare to enable them to work;
• The parent of the child (and their partner where applicable) should also be in qualifying paid work. The definition of qualifying paid work is set out at regulation 5. Each parent or the single parent in a lone parent household will need to expect to earn the equivalent of 16 hours at the national living wage or their national minimum wage rate over the forthcoming quarter;
• Where one or both parents are in receipt of benefits in connection with sickness or parenting, they are treated as though they are in paid work;
• Where one parent (in a couple household) is in receipt or could be entitled to be in receipt of specific benefits related to caring, incapacity for work or limited capability for work that they are treated as though they are in paid work;
• Where a parent is in a ‘start-up period’ (i.e. they are newly self-employed) they do not need to demonstrate that they meet the income criteria for 12 months in order to qualify for the extended entitlement.
• If either or both parents’ income exceeds £100,000 they will not be eligible for the extended entitlement.

A child born on or between: