Apply for 15 Hours Free Childcare
Parents can now register for the government’s largest-ever expansion of free childcare.
Here’s all you need to know about the new childcare funding and how to apply.
What is the funding, and am I eligible?
From January 2024, working parents of two-year-olds can apply for 15 hours of free childcare per week.
It’s part of the government’s childcare expansion, which will come into effect from April 2024. The expansion is being rolled out in stages, and means that by September 2025 parents of children aged between nine months and under five will receive 30 hours of free childcare per week.
This follows recent reports that parents spend more than a quarter of their wages on childcare.
The Department for Education (DofE) previously said this new scheme will save eligible working parents up to £6,500 per year.
Last month, Education Secretary Gillian Keegan said: ‘Eligible working parents of two-year-olds will be able to access 15 hours of government-funded childcare a week, making sure parents no longer have to choose between a career and a family.’
The support will gradually be rolled out to parents of children aged from nine months in September 2024.
This will be extended again from September 2025, when all parents of nine-month-old children will get 30 hours free childcare until their kids are school age.
Until now, free childcare in England has only been available to working parents of three and four-year-olds. Some eligible parents of two-year-olds were also entitled to 15 hours of childcare support if they received some additional forms of government support.
The free childcare will be available for parents who work a minimum of 16 hours each and earn a minimum of £8,670 and less than £100,000.
How can I use my free childcare hours?
The Childcare Choices website explains your hours can be used each week for 38 weeks of the year (during school term time). You might be able use your hours for up to 52 weeks of the year if you use fewer than your total hours per week.
They advise checking with your childcare provider to find out if this is something they offer.
You can use Tax-Free Childcare or Universal Credit for Childcare whilst claiming your 15 or 30 hours of childcare support.
Where and when can I sign up?
You can sign up from 2 January on the Childcare Choices website.
The DofE has advised parents to register between mid-January and the end of February 2024.
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What Benefits are available in the UK for families?
n the United Kingdom, there are several childcare benefits and support systems in place to assist families with the costs of childcare. These benefits are designed to make childcare more affordable and to support parents who are working or studying. As of my last knowledge update in January 2022, please note that policies and benefits may be subject to change. Here are some of the key childcare benefits available in the UK:
- Universal Credit:
- Universal Credit is a government benefit that provides financial support to low-income families, including help with childcare costs. Families may be eligible for up to 85% of their childcare costs, up to certain limits.
- Tax-Free Childcare:
- Tax-free childcare is a scheme that helps working parents with the cost of childcare. For every £8 paid into the online account, the government adds an extra £2, up to a maximum of £2,000 per child per year (or £4,000 for disabled children).
- Childcare Vouchers (Closed to New Applicants):
- Childcare Vouchers were a salary sacrifice scheme that allowed eligible parents to receive tax-free vouchers to pay for childcare costs. This scheme was closed to new applicants in October 2018, but existing users can continue to benefit from it.
- Tax Credits:
- Working Tax Credit and Child Tax Credit are means-tested benefits that provide financial support to low-income families. They may include extra support for childcare costs.
- Disability Living Allowance (DLA):
- Families with a child who has a disability may be eligible for Disability Living Allowance, which can provide financial support to help with the extra costs associated with caring for a disabled child.
- Child Maintenance Service:
- The Child Maintenance Service (CMS) assists separated parents in arranging financial support for their children. The non-residential parent may be required to contribute to the child’s upbringing.
It’s essential for parents to check their eligibility for these benefits and stay informed about any changes in policies or new initiatives introduced by the government. Local authorities and government websites are valuable resources for up-to-date information on childcare benefits in the UK.
Carla is the founder of MyBump2Baby. Carla has a huge passion for linking together small businesses and growing families. Carla’s humorous, non-filtered honesty has won the hearts of thousands of parents throughout the UK.
She has previously written for the Metro and made appearances on BBC News, BBC 5 live, LBC etc. Carla is a finalist for Blogger of the Year award with Simply Ladies inc. Carla is also the host of the popular Fifty Shades of Motherhood podcast and The MyBump2Baby Expert podcast.