The Government says that, from next month, 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 to16 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 2026, 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.
