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You only have a few days left apply for the extra 15 hours free childcare

Vicky Parry 26th Mar 2024 No Comments

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Application is open until March 31 for 15 hours of free childcare. If you miss this, you will have to wait until September to apply again.

Those entitled to free childcare to support them to return to work after parental leave. Depending on how old your child is, you may be able to access between 15 and 30 hours free childcare a week.

As was announced in the Spring Budget 2023 from April 2024, even more parents will be able to access this parental support.

Here we tell you about the free Government-funded childcare you can access now, how to apply and what you’ll be able to get in future.

When will the 30 hours of free childcare be extended?

The government are introducing free childcare gradually, to make sure that providers can meet the needs of more families, starting with 15 hours of free childcare for working parents of two-year-olds. If eligible, you can apply now.

From September 2024, 15 hours of free childcare will be extended to all children from the age of 9 months.

From September 2025, working parents of children under the age of five will be entitled to 30 hours of free childcare a week.

Application for these offers will be available in the coming months.

How to apply for free childcare

If your child is age three or four and you want to access 15 hours of free childcare, you don’t need to make an application as your childcare provider will do this for you automatically.

You’ll just need to show them a copy of your child’s birth certificate, and you’ll also have to sign a declaration form. Talk to your childcare provider directly to find out more.

Working parents of two-year-olds can also apply for 15 hours of free childcare, to be accessed from April. Parents can apply via Childcare Choices.

If your child is three or four years old and you’re eligible for 30 hours of free childcare, you’ll need to fill out an application form online.

If you’re eligible, you’ll get a childcare account and a code which you’ll need to show to your childcare provider, along with your child’s date of birth and your National Insurance number.

You’ll need to reconfirm your details every three months, or your code will expire.

Check your eligibility and apply for 30 hours free childcare at this link.

You can log into your Government childcare account here.

When should you apply?

You can make an application at any point in the year. However, to make sure you receive your code, leave plenty of time to apply. The best time to apply depends on when your child turns three – work out when is best for you at this link.

You will be asked to reconfirm you’re still eligible every 3 months. This means that if you apply at least 3 months before your child starts going to your childcare provider, you’ll need to reconfirm you’re still eligible before you take up a place.

For parents of two-year-olds to access 15 hours of free childcare, we recommend those eligible apply between mid-January and the end of February so that parents won’t need to reconfirm eligibility before taking up a place. Parents can apply via Childcare Choices.