Working parents with two year old kids will be able to register for 15 hours' of free childcare per week from the start of next year, it has been announced.
Applications will open on January 2, with the boost for families taking effect in April. A start-up grant of up to £1,200 for new childminders will also be launched on Thursday.
In September 2025 the number of free hours for parents of pre-school children will rise to 30 in a bid to get adults back to work. It's the first phase of a £400million rollout which the Government describes as the biggest ever expansion of free childcare for working parents.
Ministers claim its recruitment drive will ensure there are enough childcare places wherever they're needed in England.
Here's what you need to know.
What is changing?
The Government’s expansion of free childcare in England will be implemented in phases from April 1 next year. These are the key dates:
- April 2024: 15 free hours for working parents of two-year-olds
- September 2024: 15 free hours for working parents of nine months to the start of school
- September 2025: 30 free hours for working parents of nine months to the start of school
In the Spring budget, the Government said the extra support would be available to working parents from April next year and it would be fully completed by 2025. From April 2024, 15 hours of free childcare will be available to working parents with two-year-olds and from September, the 15-hour offer will be extended to children from nine months. The full 30-hour offer to all under-fives will come in from September 2025.
The Government says the move could help working parents save around £6,500 per year on childcare costs.
How to apply
From Tuesday January 2, parents will be able to apply for their April 2024 entitlements here. The Government says it recommends people register between mid-January and the end of February.
Meanwhile details on applying for the Childminder Start-Up Grant will be available here from Thursday, November 30.
To find out if you are eligible, click here.
Why is it being done?
Ministers claim the move will help get parents with young children back into work.
Education Secretary Gillian Keegan said: “Our fantastic childcare offer is going to start supporting eligible families in less than six months’ time, and I want to make sure that parents and providers are prepared.
“From April next year, 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, and doubling down on this government’s commitment to getting more people into work and growing the economy.
“I know the delivery of this transformation is no easy task, which is why I am pushing ahead with increased funding rates across the country and up to £1,200 for new childminders, knocking down barriers to recruiting and retaining the talented staff that provide such wonderful care for our children.”
How much does childcare cost?
National average hourly rates paid by the government will be £11.22 for under twos, £8.28 for two-year-olds, and £5.88 for three-and four-year-olds from April. The Government says these have been calculated based on the increase in the National Living Wage from April.
Who qualifies as a new childminder?
New childminders who join the profession or who completed their registration on or after March 15 2023 will be eligible. Also those re-registering at least 12 months after the cancellation of a previous registration will qualify for support.
There will be £600 available for those who choose to register with Ofsted and £1,200 for those who choose to register with a childminder agency.
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