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<p>We want parents to have access to a range of affordable childcare, giving them
increased flexibility in their working hours and helping children thrive in the crucial
early years. That is why the Department for Education is investing £3.5 billion in
our early education offers this year alone.</p><p>The 30 hours childcare entitlement
provides an additional 570 hours of funded childcare to working parents of 3 and 4
year olds across the year. The 570 hours are in addition to the 570 hours already
provided under the universal 15 hours free childcare entitlement. While many providers
will offer 30 hours of funded childcare per week during term time (38 weeks of the
year), all free entitlements can be ‘stretched’ by taking fewer hours per week over
up to 52 weeks of the year to cover both term-time and the school holidays.</p><p>To
ensure that parents can make informed decisions on their choice of childcare, the
department’s statutory guidance for local authorities states that providers should
publish a statement of how they deliver the free entitlements and any additional charges
they impose for optional activities outside of the entitlement.</p>
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