It’s clear that childcare costs pose a significant financial burden for families in the UK. As a result, the UK government is planning to extend funded childcare to more families.
The support that is currently in place will be more than doubled, in order to support hundreds of thousands of more working parents.
Childcare Funding Adjustments for 2024
As you may already be aware, starting in April 2024, parents will have more financial assistance available to aid with the expense of childcare. For children ages 3-4, parents who work more than sixteen hours per week and make less than £100,000 are currently eligible for thirty hours of paid childcare per week.
The Current Funding System
15/30 Hours Funded Childcare: Parents in the UK are entitled to 15 hours of free childcare for 3 and 4-year-olds, and 30 hours if they meet certain eligibility criteria. Some 2-year-olds are also entitled to 15 years of childcare funding.
Tax-Free Childcare: The Tax-Free Childcare scheme provides financial support to working parents. For every £8 parents pay into their childcare account, the government adds an extra £2, up to a maximum of £2,000 per child per year.
Universal Credit: Parents on a low income may be eligible for help with childcare costs through Universal Credit, which includes additional support for childcare expenses.
The Planned Changes to Funding
From April 2024: 2 Year Olds
15 hours of funded childcare will be available for eligible working parents of 2-year-olds.
From September 2024: 9+ Months
As of September 2024, 15-hour childcare support will be extended to eligible working parents of children aged 9 months to 3 years.
From September 2025: Under 5s
By September 2025, eligible working parents with children under the age of 5 will be entitled to 30 hours of weekly childcare.
Find Out More
The government’s revised eligibility checker, available on the Childcare Choices website www.childcarechoices.gov.uk, allows parents and carers to see what additional childcare support they will be entitled to in the upcoming months and years.
Click here to find out how you can save money on your childcare and find out what funding you are eligible for. You can also subscribe for updates and be the first to know when there are any significant changes to childcare support.
How to Apply – 30 Hours Childcare
Click here to apply for both the current 30-hour offer and tax-free childcare.
In order to complete the application, you will need to provide some details such as your name, home address and national insurance number. You will also need to state whether you expect to meet the income requirements over the next three months and whether you receive any benefits.
If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to email us.
We look forward to hearing from you soon!
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