Free childcare — who is eligible
There are four childcare schemes in the UK. First rule: all children aged 3–4 get 15 free hours a week — without any immigration status check. The current page on the site used to mix all schemes into one. Read the table below — your rights depend on your status and your child’s age.
The previous version of this page said “15 hours for asylum seekers aged 2–4” — this was simplified and misleading. In fact there are four separate schemes with different rules. The key point: the 30-hour scheme for working parents is NOT available to most asylum seekers and NRPF families.
Who is eligible — by status and age
| Scheme | Asylum seeker (S.95/98) | Refugee / HP | NRPF |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15 h (3–4 years) 570 h/year | ✅ YES | ✅ YES | ✅ YES |
| 15 h (2 years) “disadvantaged” | ✅ YES Part VI IAA 1999 | ✅ If on UC | ⚠ If income in range |
| 30 h (9 months–4 years) working-parent | ❌ NO | ✅ If working | ❌ NO |
| Tax-Free Childcare 20% top-up | ❌ NO | ✅ If working | ❌ NO |
| UC childcare element 85% refund | ❌ NO (no UC) | ✅ If working | ❌ NO |
| Section 17 childcare by needs assessment | ⚠ If in need | Rare | ✅ Priority |
EYPP (Early Years Pupil Premium): the provider gets £1.00/hour for children on Section 95 or UC — provide proof of status to the nursery.
15 hours for 3–4 years — step by step
- Find a nursery or pre-school nearby — childminder, nursery school, pre-school. Familyinfo.org or your council website.
- Tell the provider: “My child is 3 / 4 years old — I would like to use the universal 15-hour funded entitlement.” No extra checks needed.
- Fill in a simple form at the provider — just the child’s age and basic details. No gov.uk childcare account.
- 570 hours a year — usually 15 hours a week for 38 school weeks.
15 hours for 2-year-olds — if you are on Section 95
Families on Section 95/98/4 asylum support (Part VI Immigration and Asylum Act 1999) are counted as qualifying categories for the “disadvantaged 2-year-olds” scheme. This is not obvious from the form — the LA Education Access Team handles it directly.
- Call the LA Education Access Team (not the nursery)
- Say: “My 2-year-old child qualifies for 15 hours funded childcare — our family is on Section 95 asylum support.”
- Provide the NASS letter or ARC card as proof of Section 95
- The LA will give you a code for the nursery — then everything is standard
If no scheme fits — Section 17
If none of the standard schemes are available and the child is in need, the council under Section 17 Children Act 1989 may provide childcare support as part of a Child-in-Need assessment. This is especially relevant for NRPF families with young children. More details — Section 17 — help from the council →
Frequently asked questions
Do asylum seekers get 15 hours free childcare?
15 hours for 3–4 year olds — YES, for everyone without status check. 15 hours for 2 year olds — YES, if the family is on Section 95/98/4. 30 hours working-parent — NO. Tax-Free Childcare — NO.
Do NRPF families have a right to childcare?
15 hours for 3–4 year olds — YES (no check). 15 hours for 2 year olds — YES, if income ≤ £26,500 (outside London) / £34,500 (London). 30 hours — NO. Tax-Free Childcare — NO.
How do I get 15 hours for a 3–4 year old?
Contact a childcare provider (nursery, pre-school) directly. They do not check immigration status. You do not need to do this through a gov.uk childcare account.
What is Section 17 childcare?
Under Section 17 Children Act the council may provide childcare as part of support for a family in need. Especially relevant for NRPF families. Ask for a Child-in-Need assessment.
What is EYPP?
Early Years Pupil Premium (EYPP) — extra funding to the provider (£1.00/hour) for children on Section 95 or Universal Credit. The provider gets this money automatically if you provide proof of status.