Many working families across England may be eligible for up to 30 hours a week of free childcare, but the Government is warning that a significant number are still not applying in time to benefit. The deadline to apply for support starting in January is set for the end of the year, and the impact could be financially substantial.
The Department for Education said that more than 500,000 parents may have saved an average of £2,500 per child by Christmas due to the expansion. Yet many eligible families, especially those from more deprived areas and minority backgrounds, remain unaware of the changes. This gap in awareness could mean losing out on much-needed support over the holiday period and beyond.
Low Uptake Threatens Potential Savings for Families
The childcare funding initiative, rolled out in September 2025, enables eligible working parents to access 30 hours of free childcare each week for children aged over nine months. According to the Department for Education, this expansion could result in annual savings of up to £7,500 per child.
Despite this, government polling reveals a persistent information gap. According to data gathered by Ipsos, nearly two in five parents from ethnic minority backgrounds were unaware of the increased entitlement. Awareness was higher among parents from less deprived backgrounds, with 78% informed of the rollout, compared to only 65% among families in more deprived areas.
Geographically, parents in London were the least informed, with fewer than three in five (57%) aware of the policy change. The government is urging families to check their eligibility before the 31 December deadline to avoid missing out on substantial support. Early education minister Olivia Bailey stated: “With thousands of pounds of support available over a full year, I’d encourage all parents to check what they’re entitled to.”
Application Process and Eligibility Criteria
To access the free childcare, parents must apply through the Free Childcare for Working Parents service in England. If approved, applicants receive an 11-digit code which they must present to their childcare provider alongside their National Insurance number and the child’s date of birth.
According to HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC), the application requires personal information such as National Insurance numbers and, for the self-employed, a Unique Taxpayer Reference (UTR). Parents must also provide the UK birth certificate reference number, if available, and the date they started or expect to start work. The process generally takes about 20 minutes to complete, and results are typically available immediately, though some may take up to seven days.
In cases where eligibility cannot be verified through PAYE data, applicants may be asked to supply evidence of income, such as payslips or bank statements. If approved, the funding code must be reconfirmed every three months to remain valid. Families who fail to do so may temporarily lose access to the support.
Parents whose children turned nine months old between 1 September and 31 December are being specifically urged to apply before the year-end deadline, as they will qualify for the full 30 hours from January if approved.
One parent, Alice Barrett from Nottingham, said the support had saved her family over £700 a month, allowing her to work more hours while her child attends a nursery in a school setting. According to her, “That saving has really helped at Christmas, allowing us to afford festive outings and experiences we might otherwise have had to cut back on.”
