Last week, the Secretary of State for Education Gillian Keegan MP visited Totnes to meet early years providers following the recent expansion of childcare.
Speaking to Anthony at Daisy Preschool, the Education Secretary said:
"What we really want is to help working parents not to have to choose between the cost of having a family and going to work, so we're saving them around £6,900 in total. Since we launched our expanded offer for 2-year-olds earlier this month, I’m delighted that over 195,000 more children are now benefitting. This is helping families with the cost of living, helping parents get back into work, and helping nurseries to grow."
As of April 2024, eligible parents of children who have turned 2-years-old before 1 April are getting help with their childcare costs by accessing 15 hours of government-funded childcare.
This builds on existing government-funded childcare and later in the year, the support will be extended to include some children from when they turn 9-months-old.
- Currently, eligible working parents of 3 and 4-year-olds can access 30 hours of childcare support.
- Eligible working parents of 2-year-olds are also now able to access 15 hours childcare support.
- From September 2024, 15 hours childcare support will be extended to eligible working parents with a child from 9-months-old.
- From September 2025, support will reach 30 hours for eligible working parents with a child from 9-months-old up to school age.
Applications
Applications are now open for eligible working parents whose children will be 2 or older by the 31 August to receive 15 hours childcare, starting from September 2024.
From 12 May, eligible working parents whose children will be aged between 9- and 23-months old on 31st August, can apply to receive 15 hours childcare starting from September 2024.
It’s important to remember that codes need to be renewed every three months, so parents applying close to 12 May will need to renew their code prior to the offer starting in September.
You are able to claim your place the term after your child turns the relevant age. This gives local authorities and childcare providers enough time to prepare.
Find out more information about how to apply here: https://educationhub.blog.gov.uk/2024/04/02/how-to-claim-15-hours-free-…
Further measures
In addition, Universal Credit childcare caps have been increased significantly to £951 for one child (up from £646) and £1,630 for two children (up from £1,108). This support will be paid to parents up-front when they are moving into work or increasing their hours, rather than in arrears - meaning low-income families will find it easier to afford, as well as help remove a barrier that many face when thinking about returning to work.
In support of childcare providers, hourly rates are increasing by 30%, and an estimated additional £500 million is being allocated to the sector over two years to help cover rising costs. The Childminder Start-up Grant Scheme is also providing grant funding up to £1,200 to new childminders, to assist with setting up their businesses.
The Department for Education is running a “Do Something Big” recruitment campaign to encourage people to start a career working with small children, while new T Levels provide a route into childcare.
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If you are interested in applying to childcare scheme or learning more about your entitlement to additional childcare support, you can find more information here: https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/