Childcare help in England: 30 free hours, Tax-Free Childcare (£2 per £8), 85% support in Universal Credit and free school meals for UC families

Published: 18 October 2026Last checked: October 20264 min read

Short answer

Working parents in England can get 30 free hours a week for children aged 9 months-4 years, Tax-Free Childcare (£2 for every £8) or 85% support in UC; Tax-Free Childcare and UC childcare cannot be combined. Children of UC families get free school meals from 2026-27.

In short

This post is general information and does not assess anyone's personal situation. It is based on GOV.UK and the other official pages as they were on 18 October 2026. Amounts are updated each April and rules can change.
The rules below are for England. Working parents have three main routes: free childcare hours, Tax-Free Childcare and the childcare element in Universal Credit. Free school meals are a separate support for school-age children.

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Official sources

This answer is based on the pages below. Check the source yourself before you decide.

GOV.UK: 30 hours free childcare
GOV.UK: Tax-Free Childcare
GOV.UK: Help with childcare costs
GOV.UK: Universal Credit childcare costs
GOV.UK: Apply for free school meals

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Child Benefit: £27.05 and £17.90 a week, who gets it, the £60,000-£80,000 tax charge (HICBC) and the end of the UC two-child limit

GOV.UK: Child Benefit pays £27.05 a week for the eldest or only child and £17.90 for each additional child, with no cap on the number. The charge starts above £60,000 (1% per £200) and takes it all back at £80,000. UC adds £303.94 per child; the two-child limit ended on 6 April 2026.

Last checked: October 2026

Family, Children & Schools18 October 2026

Maternity, paternity and sick pay: SMP, Maternity Allowance (39 weeks), paternity pay, Sick Pay (£123.25) and the Sure Start grant (£500)

GOV.UK: Statutory Maternity Pay is 90% of average earnings for 6 weeks, then £194.32 (or 90%, whichever is lower) for 33 weeks. Maternity Allowance lasts 39 weeks; Sick Pay is up to £123.25 a week for 28 weeks. A £500 Sure Start grant may be possible for a first child.