Working Parents Can Apply for Extra Free Childcare Hours Starting Today
Parents can now apply for extra free childcare hours as part of a government expansion. The support, first announced in the Budget last March, will officially begin in April, but families are encouraged to register early.
15 Free Hours per Week for Working Parents of Two-Year-Olds
Starting in April, working mums and dads of two-year-olds will be eligible for 15 free hours of childcare per week. In September, this will be extended to include nine-month-olds up until the start of school. By September 2025, all working parents of nine-month-olds will receive 30 hours of free childcare until their children reach school age.
Childcare Costs Becoming Crippling for Families
Families have been burdened with escalating childcare costs, with over 5,000 providers closing in the past year. Poorer families are now spending more than a quarter of their wages on childcare for their children.
How to Apply for Extra Childcare
To apply for extra free childcare hours, parents can visit the same government website where parents of three and four-year-olds sign up for their existing 30 hours. Simply sign into your account on the GOV.UK website or create a new one. A Government Gateway user ID is required for login. After approval, parents will receive a code to give to their childcare provider. It is crucial to reconfirm eligibility every three months.
Eligibility for Free Childcare
Free childcare was initially introduced in 2010 and has since been expanded. Currently, parents in England can receive 15 hours of free childcare per week for three and four-year-olds. Eligibility for free childcare for two-year-olds is based on certain benefits and circumstances. Parents can also receive up to 30 hours of free childcare depending on their circumstances and other benefits they may be receiving.
Rules for Working Parents
To be eligible for free childcare, working parents must earn a certain amount each week. Those who individually earn between £8,670 and £100,000 adjusted net income per year are eligible. For couples, both parents must earn at least £8,670, and neither can earn more than £100,000. Additional criteria are available on the Childcare Choices website.
