If you're a working parent in the UK, you might be eligible for 15 or 30 hours of free childcare—but the rules aren’t the same everywhere. The exact support you get depends on where you live and how old your child is. This article breaks down the patchwork of policies so you can figure out what’s available to you.

Editor’s Note: Childcare costs are a huge stress for working families, and this kind of support can be a game-changer. But since the rules vary across regions, it’s easy to miss out if you don’t know what’s offered in your area. This piece cuts through the confusion to help parents claim what they’re entitled to—because every hour of free care counts.