The Government says that, from April, eligible working parents of 2 year olds will be able to access 15 hours of free childcare. Parents must earn at least £167 per week, equal to 16 hours at the National Minimum or Living Wage, and less than £100,000 per year, and will benefit from 15 hours of childcare or early education for 38 weeks which they can use flexibly with one or more childcare providers.
From September 2024, the 15 hours free childcare offer will be expanded to eligible working parents with children aged between 9 and 23 months.
And from September 2025, eligible working parents with children between 9 months and up to school age will have access to 30 hours of free childcare.
Support is also expanding for primary school aged children – from September 2024, the Government says that parents can expect to see additional childcare before and after school, between 8am and 6pm, also known as ‘wraparound care’.
To find out more, including how and when to register for support with childcare costs, please visit the Childcare Choices website. The website also includes details of existing childcare offers, including tax free childcare, 30 hours free childcare and Universal Credit childcare, known as Terrific for Twos in Wolverhampton.
Councillor Chris Burden, the City of Wolverhampton Council’s Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, said: “Every year hundreds of families in Wolverhampton benefit from funded childcare schemes at participating nurseries, schools and childminders around the city.
“Accessing early education gives your child the chance to learn, play and make new friends and the opportunity to develop and master new skills. It supports them as they prepare for school by helping them to communicate, explore new experiences, be active and healthy – and of course, it also helps working parents juggle careers and childcare.
“I would encourage all eligible working parents of 2 year olds, or little ones who are about to turn 2, to find out more about the expansion of funded childcare and to sign up for further information."
