Free Childcare for Foster Carers
Understand the free childcare available for foster children in England, the working requirements for foster carers, the role of the child’s care plan and how to apply through your social worker and local authority.
Estimate Funded ChildcareEstimate Funded Hours
Compare the child’s weekly childcare schedule with a possible funded entitlement and privately paid hours.
Start CalculatorCheck The Main Conditions
Review the child-age, paid-work, income and care-plan requirements applying to foster families.
Eligibility GuideFollow The Local Process
Foster carers normally apply through the social worker and local authority rather than the standard online application.
Application StepsFree Childcare for Foster Carers Calculator
Estimate how funded hours could fit around a foster child’s childcare schedule. This tool does not approve eligibility; the responsible local authority must assess the application and care plan.
Your Foster Childcare Details
Enter the planned childcare arrangement and use only hours that have been discussed with the social worker and provider.
Your Foster Childcare Estimate Will Appear Here
Add the child’s age, required childcare schedule, funded hours and provider rate to estimate funded and privately paid childcare.
Your Foster Childcare Estimate
Free Childcare for Foster Carers at a Glance
Foster children can have access to age-based early education and, in qualifying cases, the working-parent childcare entitlement.
Explore Funded Childcare Support
Compare funded hours, childcare eligibility, nursery costs and additional support using related BabyDaycares.co.uk resources.
The Child’s Care Plan Comes First
Free childcare for a foster child is not assessed through income and employment alone. The responsible local authority must also be satisfied that the foster carer’s paid work outside fostering is consistent with the child’s care plan.
This allows childcare to be considered as part of the child’s wider needs, relationships, routines, education, health and placement stability.
- Discuss the childcare need with the child’s social worker.
- Explain the paid work carried out outside the fostering role.
- Consider how the setting supports the child’s care plan.
- Choose an eligible registered childcare provider.
- Agree the start date and attendance pattern.
- Reconfirm eligibility through the local process every three months.
Who Can Get Free Childcare for Foster Carers?
In England, a foster child aged from nine months to four years may qualify for the Free Childcare for Working Parents entitlement when the relevant foster-family and care-plan conditions are met.
The application process is different from the standard online process used by most parents. Foster carers should contact the child’s social worker and the responsible local authority.
Paid Work Outside The Fostering Role
At least one relevant foster carer must normally be in paid work outside their fostering role. Fostering payments and the fostering role alone do not satisfy this particular work condition.
No Minimum-Income Requirement For The Foster Parent
Foster parents carrying out paid work outside fostering do not have to meet the normal minimum-income requirement applied to many other working-parent applications.
In a two-parent household, different rules can apply depending on whether both partners are foster parents, whether a partner works outside fostering and whether a partner receives a qualifying benefit.
The £100,000 Adjusted Net Income Limit
A relevant adult must not expect adjusted net income above £100,000 for the current tax year. This is an individual limit rather than a combined household limit.
Local Authority Care-Plan Agreement
The responsible local authority must agree that the foster carer’s paid work outside fostering is consistent with the child’s care plan. The authority records the decision and can update the care plan where appropriate.
Single Foster-Carer Household
In a single-parent foster family, the foster carer generally needs to be carrying out paid work outside fostering. There is no minimum income requirement for that foster carer, but the income ceiling and care-plan assessment still matter.
Two-Parent Foster Family
Where both partners are foster parents, the usual position is that both carry out paid work outside fostering, or one works while the other meets an applicable qualifying-benefit exception.
Where One Partner Is Not A Foster Parent
A partner who is not a foster parent can be subject to the ordinary working-parent income rules, including the applicable minimum earnings test, unless an exception applies.
| Eligibility Point | General Position | Who Confirms It? |
|---|---|---|
| Child’s Age | Usually aged 9 months to 4 years for the working-parent offer | Local authority and childcare records |
| Outside Paid Work | Paid work must be separate from the fostering role | Foster carer and local authority |
| Minimum Earnings | No minimum-income requirement for the foster parent | Local application process |
| Maximum Income | Expected adjusted net income must not exceed £100,000 | Applicant information and checks |
| Care Plan | Paid work must be consistent with the child’s care plan | Responsible local authority |
| Application Route | Manual local-authority process rather than standard online route | Social worker and local authority |
Read the official Free Childcare for Working Parents eligibility guidance before relying on an estimate.
Free Childcare Entitlements by the Foster Child’s Age
The childcare available to a foster child depends partly on age. Some provision is universal or linked to the child’s circumstances, while additional hours can depend on paid work outside fostering.
Children Under 9 Months
The working-parent early years entitlement does not usually begin before the relevant age and term. Families should discuss any childcare needed before that point with the social worker and local authority.
Children Aged 9 Months To Under 2
An eligible foster child can potentially access up to 30 hours a week for 38 weeks under the working-parent entitlement, provided the foster-family and care-plan conditions are satisfied.
Foster Children Aged 2
Children in foster care can qualify for the early learning entitlement for two-year-olds regardless of whether the foster parent works outside fostering.
Where the child also qualifies for the working-parent entitlement, the local authority normally funds the first 15 hours under the two-year-old early learning scheme and the remaining 15 hours under the working-parent entitlement, producing up to 30 hours in total.
Foster Children Aged 3 Or 4
All three- and four-year-olds in England are entitled to the universal 15 hours, regardless of foster-carer employment.
A foster child may receive a further 15 hours through the working-parent entitlement when the additional foster-family and care-plan conditions are met, creating a maximum of 30 funded hours a week.
School-Age Children
The early years funded-hours schemes normally end as the child reaches school age. Foster carers can discuss wraparound and holiday childcare needs with the social worker, school and local authority.
| Child’s Age | Possible Funded Provision | Main Point |
|---|---|---|
| Under 9 Months | No standard working-parent hours yet | Discuss care needs with the social worker |
| 9 Months To Under 2 | Up to 30 hours for an eligible working foster family | Local authority approval and care-plan agreement required |
| Age 2 | 15 early-learning hours, potentially plus 15 working-parent hours | Maximum normally remains 30 hours |
| Age 3 Or 4 | Universal 15 hours, potentially increased to 30 | Extra hours depend on working-parent conditions |
| School Age | Early years hours normally end | Check local wraparound and holiday support |
How The Foster Child’s Care Plan Affects Childcare
The care plan is central to the application. The responsible local authority must decide whether the foster carer’s outside paid work and proposed childcare arrangement are consistent with the plan for the child.
Why The Care Plan Is Considered
Foster children can have individual emotional, developmental, educational, health and contact needs. A childcare arrangement that is suitable for one child may not be right for another.
Placement Stability
The authority may consider whether the proposed childcare supports a stable routine and whether the hours are manageable for the child’s age, development and placement circumstances.
Family Time And Contact
Childcare should be planned around contact arrangements, social-work visits, medical appointments, therapeutic support and important family time.
Child’s Existing Relationships
Where a child already attends a nursery, preschool or childminder, continuity can be important. A proposed change should consider the child’s relationships and progress.
Provider Suitability
The provider should be able to support the child safely and inclusively. Relevant information may need to be shared in line with the care plan, confidentiality requirements and safeguarding responsibilities.
Work-Enabling Purpose
The additional entitlement is intended to support paid work outside the fostering role.
Child-Centred Decision
Approval also depends on whether the arrangement is suitable for the individual foster child.
How Foster Carers Apply for Free Childcare
Foster carers use a local application process because the standard eligibility system cannot complete the additional foster-family and care-plan checks.
1. Speak To The Child’s Social Worker
Explain the paid work carried out outside fostering, the proposed childcare hours and why childcare is needed. Discuss whether the arrangement fits the child’s care plan.
2. Contact The Responsible Local Authority
Ask the early years team, Family Information Service or designated foster-childcare contact for the local application form and current process.
3. Complete The Foster-Carer Application Form
Provide the requested details about the child, foster household, paid work, income position and proposed childcare arrangement.
4. Obtain The Required Countersignature
A person designated by the responsible local authority must confirm that the requirements are met, including the care-plan decision.
5. Choose A Suitable Provider
Contact registered nurseries, preschools, schools or childminders and ask whether they offer the relevant funded entitlement and have a suitable place available.
6. Agree The Attendance Pattern
Decide whether the hours will be used over 38 weeks or stretched across more weeks where the provider offers this arrangement.
7. Reconfirm Every Three Months
Foster carers are generally required to reconfirm eligibility every three months through the local process, mirroring the wider working-parent entitlement.
Information You May Need
- The foster child’s details and planned childcare start date.
- Information about paid work outside fostering.
- Partner details where relevant.
- Expected adjusted net income information.
- The proposed childcare provider and weekly attendance.
- Confirmation that childcare is consistent with the care plan.
Official local-authority guidance is available through the Department for Education foster-childcare guidance.
What Free Childcare May Not Cover
Funded childcare covers eligible childcare hours, but it does not necessarily cover every service or cost connected with a nursery, preschool or childminder place.
Meals And Snacks
A provider may ask families to pay for meals and snacks or provide a suitable alternative. Ask for the provider’s funded-place policy.
Nappies And Consumables
Nappies, wipes, creams, sun protection and other consumables may be charged separately or supplied by the foster family.
Additional Childcare Hours
Hours above the funded entitlement remain privately payable at the provider’s normal rate unless another confirmed source of support applies.
Trips And Additional Activities
Optional outings, specialist classes and activities may have an additional charge. Discuss whether participation is suitable and how any cost will be managed.
Registration And Deposits
Providers can have registration processes, booking payments or deposits. Ask whether these apply to a funded place and whether a deposit is refundable.
Holiday And Stretched Arrangements
Thirty hours over 38 weeks represents an annual total rather than 30 funded hours during every week of the year. A stretched offer uses fewer weekly hours over more weeks.
| Cost Or Service | Usually Covered By Funded Hours? | What To Check |
|---|---|---|
| Eligible Childcare Session | Yes, within the approved funded pattern | Provider availability and local agreement |
| Meals And Snacks | Not necessarily | Price and alternative arrangements |
| Nappies And Consumables | Not necessarily | Whether the family supplies items |
| Hours Above Entitlement | No | Private hourly or session rate |
| Trips And Optional Activities | Not necessarily | Whether participation and payment are optional |
| Registration Or Deposit | Provider-dependent | Refund and funded-place terms |
Other Childcare Support for Foster Carers
The appropriate support depends on who the childcare is for, the foster carer’s employment, the child’s age, household benefits and the local authority’s responsibilities.
Universal 15 Hours for 3- And 4-Year-Olds
Every three- and four-year-old in England can receive the universal early education entitlement, including children in foster care. Foster-carer employment is not required for these universal hours.
Early Learning for Foster Children Aged 2
A child in foster care can qualify for the two-year-old early learning entitlement regardless of whether the foster carer works outside fostering.
Universal Credit Childcare Costs
A foster carer in paid work outside fostering may be able to receive help with qualifying childcare costs through Universal Credit, subject to the claim rules and household circumstances.
Tax-Free Childcare
A foster carer cannot normally claim Tax-Free Childcare for the foster child. The separate Free Childcare for Working Parents route may be available in England instead.
Local Authority Support
Where an entitlement does not apply or does not cover the complete need, the local authority can consider the child’s early years and childcare needs through the care-planning process.
Support for The Foster Carer’s Own Children
Different rules can apply to a foster carer’s birth, adopted or otherwise eligible children. The foster carer may be able to use the ordinary childcare-support application route for those children.
Related Free Childcare Guides
Continue comparing funded childcare, eligibility rules and remaining childcare costs with these related resources.
Free Childcare UK
Review the main childcare entitlements and how the schemes differ across the United Kingdom.
Read Funding Guide →30 Hours Free Childcare
Understand weekly hours, annual entitlement, stretched offers and working-parent conditions.
Read 30 Hours Guide →Free Childcare for 2-Year-Olds
Review the early learning support available to eligible two-year-old children.
Read Two-Year-Old Guide →Childcare Eligibility Calculator
Review the main conditions connected with age, work, income and childcare circumstances.
Check Eligibility →Nursery Fee Calculator UK
Estimate privately paid hours, meals, consumables and other costs outside funded provision.
Calculate Nursery Fees →Funded Childcare Hours Calculator
Compare term-time and stretched funded-hour patterns with your complete childcare schedule.
Calculate Funded Hours →Free Childcare for Foster Carers FAQs
Answers to common questions about free childcare, foster children, paid work, care-plan approval and local-authority applications.
Plan Funded Childcare for a Foster Child
Estimate the childcare hours and costs, then speak to the child’s social worker and responsible local authority to begin the official foster-carer application process.
Use Foster Childcare Calculator