Guidance on free childcare hours and free school meals via GOV.UK

GOV.UK explains entitlement to mainstream schemes such as 15 or 30 hours of free early education for eligible three‑ and four‑year‑olds and means‑tested free school meals for eligible pupils. Eligibility depends on household circumstances, benefits or income and on local authority arrangements; parents typically apply through their local council or through their child’s setting using details on GOV.UK. Use the site’s eligibility checkers and local contact pages to apply and find approved providers.