Answers · UK 2025/26

Can we still get 30 hours free childcare if one parent works part-time?

Yes, as long as each working parent expects to earn at least around GBP 195 a week (16 hours at the GBP 12.71 National Living Wage) and neither earns over GBP 100,000 adjusted net income. The minimum is per parent, not combined, so a part-time job can still qualify if it clears the weekly earnings floor.

Last updated: 10 June 2026Last reviewed: 10 June 2026How we verify

Full answer

The 30 funded childcare hours and Tax-Free Childcare share the same work and income test for 2026/27. In a two-parent household, each parent generally must expect to earn at least the equivalent of 16 hours a week at the National Living Wage. At GBP 12.71 an hour for those aged 21 and over, that is about GBP 203 a week or roughly GBP 2,640 over the coming three months. Crucially the floor is assessed per parent, so a part-time worker can qualify provided their own earnings clear it; you do not add the two incomes together to meet the minimum. Worked example: Parent A works full-time on GBP 30,000 and Parent B works 18 hours a week at GBP 13 an hour, earning about GBP 234 a week, above the floor, so both pass and the family keeps the 30 hours. If Parent B dropped to 12 hours (about GBP 156 a week), they would fall below the threshold and the family would lose the extended hours, keeping only any universal entitlement. The upper limit also bites: if either parent's adjusted net income exceeds GBP 100,000, eligibility is lost entirely. Self-employed parents and those on maternity, paternity or sick leave have special rules, and a parent on certain benefits may be treated as meeting the test. You must reconfirm eligibility every three months. Use the minimum wage calculator to check the weekly earnings floor. Confirm the rules and reconfirm at gov.uk/30-hours-free-childcare.