Every childcare entitlement you qualify for — to the penny
Free hours by age, Tax-Free Childcare, Universal Credit childcare, and the income cliff edges at £10,158 and £100,000. Per child, with deadlines.
What your result looks like
A clear answer per child, with the exact deadlines
Illustrative — your result is calculated against your actual ages, incomes, and benefits.
By age
How free hours change as your child grows
England 2026/27. Entitlements start the term after your child reaches the age below.
| Age | Entitlement | Who qualifies |
|---|---|---|
| 0–8 months | None | Universal Credit childcare element or Tax-Free Childcare cover paid care. |
| 9 months – 2 yrs | 30 hrs/week | Both parents earning £10,158–£100k each. Term-based: 38 weeks/year. |
| 2 years | 15 hrs/week (UC, IS, JSA, or EHC plan) | OR 30 hrs/week if both parents working and earning in band. |
| 3–4 years | 15 hrs universal — every child | OR 30 hrs/week if you qualify on income — adds to the 15. |
| School age | Reception class onwards | Wraparound, breakfast clubs, holiday care via Tax-Free Childcare or UC. |
Term-start dates apply: a child turning 9 months in October starts free hours the following January.
What to watch out for
Two income cliff edges that decide everything
Either parent in the wrong band, and you lose 30 hours and Tax-Free Childcare for every child.
Earn less than this — including zero — and you don't qualify. The threshold is 16 hours per week at the National Minimum Wage. Self-employed parents in their first year are exempt.
Parental, sick, or carer's leave keeps you eligible for the duration of your statutory leave.
Either parent over £100k ANI — and the whole family loses 30 hours AND Tax-Free Childcare. Universal 15 hours from age 3 still applies regardless of income.
Pension salary sacrifice reduces ANI pound-for-pound. The salary optimiser models the exact pension contribution that brings you under.
Which scheme pays more?
Tax-Free Childcare vs Universal Credit childcare
You can't claim both. The calculator picks the better one for your numbers — here's the rule of thumb.
| Feature | Tax-Free Childcare | UC childcare element |
|---|---|---|
| How much | 25% top-up on what you pay | 85% of what you pay reimbursed |
| Max per year | £2,000 per child (£4,000 if disabled) | Up to the published 2026/27 monthly cap |
| Income test | Both parents £10,158–£100k | On Universal Credit |
| Paid | Upfront — government tops up your deposit | Reimbursed in arrears against receipts |
| Best for | Costs under ~£800/mo/child OR ineligible for UC | Costs over ~£800/mo/child AND on UC |
Built for every working-parent situation
Edge cases included — grace periods, mid-year job changes, mixed-age siblings.
Common questions
Can I claim 30 free hours if I'm on maternity or parental leave?
Yes. The government applies a 'grace period' that lets you keep the 30-hour entitlement while on statutory maternity, paternity, adoption, or shared parental leave. You need to have qualified at the start of the period — and you'll need to return to work earning at least £10,158/year before the next reconfirmation date (every 3 months). The calculator factors this in automatically when you tell us your employment status.
Does my partner's income count toward the £100,000 cap?
Each parent's adjusted net income is checked separately. If either parent earns over £100,000 ANI, you lose the 30-hour entitlement and Tax-Free Childcare for ALL your children — even if the other parent earns nothing. Salary sacrifice into pension can bring ANI below £100k; the salary optimiser models this exactly.
What counts as the £10,158 minimum earnings threshold?
Expected earnings over the next 3 months of at least £10,158/year-equivalent — that's 16 hours per week at the National Minimum Wage (£12.21 for 21+ in 2026/27). Self-employed parents in their first year of trading are exempt. The calculator checks this per parent.
Can I claim Tax-Free Childcare and 30 free hours at the same time?
Yes — they stack. The 30 free hours cover what they cover (typically nursery hours), and you use Tax-Free Childcare for everything else: extra paid hours, meals, school holiday clubs, before/after-school care. Both schemes use the same eligibility rules (£10,158 minimum, £100k maximum per parent).
Should I use TFC or Universal Credit childcare? I can't have both.
Universal Credit pays 85% of childcare costs (capped at the published 2026/27 maximums — around £1,030 for one child, £1,770 for two), reimbursed in arrears. Tax-Free Childcare adds 25% on top of what you pay, up to £2,000/year per child. For most working UC recipients spending over ~£800/month per child on care, UC pays more. For lower-cost or higher-income families, TFC usually wins. The calculator picks the better option for your situation.
When do I need to apply for a September nursery start?
For 30 free hours you need an eligibility code from HMRC by 31 August at the latest. We recommend applying in May or June (your code lasts 3 months, then needs reconfirmation). Universal 15 hours and the 2-year-old offer don't need a code — go straight to your nursery or local authority. The calculator gives you the exact deadline for your situation.
Do step-parents count toward the income limits?
Yes. If a step-parent lives with you, their income is counted. HMRC checks 'couple' status — married, civil partners, or living together as if you were. Lodgers and adult children who live with you don't count.
What happens if I lose my job while using 30 hours?
You get a 4-week grace period from the date your earnings drop below the threshold. After that the funded place ends, but your child keeps the universal 15-hour entitlement if they're 3 or 4. If you're back in work within the grace period the entitlement continues. The calculator can model what happens in different employment-loss scenarios.
I'm self-employed in my first year — what counts as earnings?
HMRC waives the £10,158 minimum-earnings test for the first 12 months of self-employment. You just need to be actively trading. After year one, expected profit before tax is the figure they check — same threshold as employees.
Do you store my data?
Yes — your household details and children's dates of birth are stored in our UK-based database so we can recalculate as rules change and send you reminders. We never sell data and never use it for advertising. Delete your account from settings and everything is erased within 30 days. See our privacy policy for the full data flow, retention periods, and sub-processors.