Expanded childcare support for parents from April 2024
Aim of expanded childcare support
Government’s aim is to:
• Support parental participation in the labour market – a “work incentive offer”
• Reduce childcare costs for families as part of tackling the cost-of-living crisis
This is the largest ever expansion of free childcare. For the first time most childcare will be paid for by the local authority, rather than by parents
Roll out of expanded childcare support
Expanded childcare support will be free provision from:
• April 2024 – 15 hours a week from term after child’s second birthday
• September 2024 – 15 hours a week from term after child turns nine months
• September 2025 – 30 hours a week from term after child turns nine months old
** all term time only. Is 570/1140 hours a year in total
Entitlement to expanded childcare support
The same as the current extended “30 hour” offer for three- and four-year-olds
• Earning at least £167 per week (equivalent to 16 hours a week at national minimum/living wage)
• Both parents working if in couple
• Individually not earning more than £100,000 a year
Start term after reach relevant age and have a valid code from HMRC, which ever is the later
Depending on when the child turns nine months old the start date could be as late as when the child is 14 months old
Parents apply to HMRC through a .gov account
Parents need to get a code from HMRC. More information at www.childcarechoices.gov.uk
Parents can use day nurseries, childminders, pre-schools, playgroups, nursery classes in primary schools, as long as they are on the Ofsted early years register and on the council’s list of providers
Continued eligibility for free childcare
Universal – all three- and four-year-olds
Extended (30-hour offer) – all three- and four-year-olds of working parents
Two-year-olds in low-income families in receipt of certain benefits
Wraparound childcare
New programme to ensure that all parents of primary school children can access breakfast and after-school clubs from 8 am to 6 pm
Starting to be developed from April 2024
Parents will pay for the cost of childcare through their own income, Tax Free Childcare and childcare element of Universal Credit