From the term following their third birthday, all pre-school age 3 and 4 year olds are eligible for 15 hours of free care per week, 38 weeks of the year. Some families may be entitled to up to 30 hours of free care per week, depending on personal circumstances.
Starting from April 2024, existing childcare support was expanded in phases. By September 2025, most working families with children under the age of 5 will be entitled to 30 hours of childcare support each week. The changes are being introduced gradually to make sure that providers can meet the needs of families. This means that:
From April 2024, working parents of 2 year olds were able to access 15 hours' childcare support/week.
From September 2024, 15 hours' childcare support was extended to all children from the age of 9 months - 3.
From September 2025, working parents of children under the age of 5 will be entitled to 30 hours' of childcare support/week.
Depending on your nursery provider, these hours can be used over 38 weeks of the year (during school term time) or up to 52 weeks if you use fewer than your total hours per week.
Please note that parents with no recourse to public funds may not be eligible for all types of funding. Please see the NRPF website for the latest updates.
