Eligibility for 30 hours free childcare

3 and 4 year old children are eligible for 30 hours free childcare where their household meets the following eligiblity criteria: 

• both parents are working or one parent is working in lone parent families. This is defined as earning the equivalent of 16 hours per week on national minimum wage/national living wage, but less than £100,000 per year.  This applies for self-employed and zero hour contracts.
• both parents are employed but one or both of them are temporarily away from the workplace on parental, maternity, paternity or adoption leave.
• both parents are employed but one or both of them are temporarily away from the workplace on statutory sick pay.
• one parent is employed and one parent has substantial caring responsibilities based on specific benefits received for caring.
• one parent is employed and one parent is disabled or incapacitated based on specific benefits.
• Children in the care of or previously in the care of Trafford Council may also be eligible for 30 hours, to arrange this parents / carers should contact their Trafford social worker.

30 hours free childcare can be claimed by eligible families alongside tax credits, universal credit, tax-free childcare and other schemes to help pay for any additional childcare.