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<p>Eligible working parents of 3 and 4-year-olds are currently eligible for 30 hours
of free childcare per week, over 38 weeks a year. In the 2023 Spring Budget, the government
announced a number of transformative reforms to childcare. This includes the expansion
of the free childcare offer so that eligible working parents in England will be able
to access 30 hours of free childcare per week, for 38 weeks, per year from when their
child is 9 months old to when they start school.</p><p>The department expects to be
spending in excess of £8 billion every year on free hours and early education by 2027/28,
helping working families with their childcare costs. This announcement represents
the single biggest investment in childcare in England.</p><p>From April 2024, all
eligible working parents of 2-year-olds will become eligible for 15 hours of free
childcare, with eligible parents of 9 months to 2-year-olds eligible for 15 hours
from September 2024 onwards. The offer will be rolled out in full, with eligible working
parents of children aged 9 months to 3 years able to access 30 hours, from September
2025.</p><p>To be eligible for this offer, parents will need to earn the equivalent
of 16 hours a week at National Minimum or Living Wage, and less than £100,000 adjusted
net income per year.</p><p>As set out in the regulations underpinning the entitlements,
eligibility for the current free early education entitlements, including 30 hours
free childcare, begins from 1 September, 1 January or 1 April following the child’s
third birthday, or their second birthday if they are eligible for the 15 hours for
disadvantaged 2-year-olds. Parents must apply for 30 hours free childcare in the term
their child turns 3 if they wish to take up a place from the start of the following
term. Further information on the recommended dates at which parents should apply is
available at: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/30-hours-free-childcare?step-by-step-nav=f517cd57-3c18-4bb9-aa8b-1b907e279bf9"
target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/30-hours-free-childcare?step-by-step-nav=f517cd57-3c18-4bb9-aa8b-1b907e279bf9</a>.</p><p>These
termly deadlines ensure that children can receive at least two years of early education
and/or reception before they reach compulsory school age, which is the beginning of
the term following their fifth birthday. They also allow local authorities and childcare
providers to better plan and ensure that sufficient early years places are available
for parents each term, as there are clear periods for when children are likely to
start a place.</p><p>In the meantime, parents can also access other childcare offers
such as Tax-Free Childcare and Universal Credit. Tax-Free Childcare can help parents
with childcare for children aged from 0-11, and for disabled children until the age
of 17. Universal Credit Childcare provides support with childcare costs for children
aged 0-16. The government is taking action to support parents in receipt of this with
childcare costs upfront when they need it, rather than in arrears.</p><p> </p>
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