Parents Face New Year's Eve Deadline for £7,500 Free Childcare Scheme

Working families in England have less than 24 hours to apply for the government's free childcare scheme before the December 31, 2025 deadline. The program offers eligible working parents up to 30 hours per week of free childcare for children aged nine months to four years, worth approximately £7,500 annually. Applications for the 2026 support period must be submitted through the Childcare Service portal by midnight on December 31. Parents must meet eligibility requirements including earning at least 16 hours per week at minimum wage and not exceeding £100,000 annual income. The scheme has already provided support to over 1.1 million families since its expansion in April 2024. Late applications will not be accepted for the 2026 period, though parents can reapply for future terms.