Can working parents get help with childcare?
For eligible working families in England, there is a government-funded early education program available for children aged 3–4 years. Starting in April 2024, applications will also be accepted for 2-year-olds.
This program offers up to 15 hours of early education over 38 weeks of the year for 2 year-olds and 30 hours for 3-4 year olds. The hours can be used flexibly with one or more childcare providers.
Some providers even offer the option to ‘stretch’ the hours over 52 weeks, using fewer hours per week.
This initiative aims to support working families by providing quality early education for young children.
When can I claim?
The rules around when to first claim this funding is particular, but easy enough to understand once explained. Funding eligibility is aligned to set periods in the academic calendar – starting on either the 1st of April, September, or January – rather than the child’s exact birthday.
So for example, if your child turns three on April 10th, you won’t be able to claim funding from that date. Rather, you’ll need to wait for the next funding period to roll around on the 1st of September. At that point, you can begin claiming.
This funding is provided to help cover the cost of nursery care, childminders, or other approved childcare arrangements. It is paid directly to your chosen provider to discount your childcare fees. Funding continues up until the term of the child’s fifth birthday.
There is also an exception if your child takes up a reception place earlier, even if it is just part-time, as this is considered the start of compulsory schooling.
Can I claim 30 hours of free childcare?
Perhaps the most eagerly anticipated part of the reforms is the extension of this scheme to children aged 9 months and older. This means that parents who work at least 16 hours per week will be eligible for 30 hours of funded childcare per child per week, starting as soon as maternity or paternity leave ends.
This is a major change that will help reduce the high cost of childcare that often prevents parents, especially mothers, from returning to work earlier.
The 30 free hours per child per week will apply from when the child is 9 months old up to age 4, covering the full period before they start school.
According to the government, this could reduce household childcare costs by up to 60% for eligible parents.
However, the reforms will be gradually phased in over several years, so not everyone will benefit immediately. The free childcare for 9-month olds and over will initially only apply to certain areas or households meeting additional eligibility criteria.
But over time, the government plans to expand it nationwide for all working parents. The reforms have been widely welcomed as a crucial step in making childcare more affordable and enabling parents to work and balance family responsibilities.
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