From today, parents of children as young as 9 months old can apply to receive 15 hours of free childcare per week, a milestone that promises to benefit hundreds of thousands of households across England.
“Last year we promised the biggest ever expansion in childcare provision in history and we are delivering. Our full expansion will save parents an average of £6,900 a year, meaning no parent has to choose between their career and caring for their child.”
affirmed Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.
Key Stats:
- 211,027 2-year-olds already benefitting from govt-funded places
- Parents can apply for 9-month-olds starting May 12th
- 15 hrs/week of free childcare, rising to 30 hrs/week by Sept 2025
- Expected to save families an average of £6,900 annually
A Lifeline for Working Families
The rollout represents a critical lifeline for countless families grappling with the soaring costs of childcare, which often force parents – particularly mothers – to sacrifice their careers or stretch their budgets to the breaking point.
By providing direct financial support, the government aims to alleviate this burden, empowering more caregivers to return to work or increase their hours without compromising their children’s well-being.
“As a father to a blended family of eight children, I know only too well the sacrifices that many parents make for their children,” remarked Jason Elsom, Chief Executive of Parentkind.
“Many families will welcome the lifeline that this support offers.”
Streamlining Access
To ensure a smooth transition, the government has extended the application window for parents on parental leave or starting a new job by the end of September 2024. These individuals can now apply for their childcare code 16 weeks before returning to work, up from the previous 31-day period.
Education Secretary Gillian Keegan celebrated the successful launch of the offer in April, with 100% of local authorities meeting the demand for childcare places.
“That was only the beginning, and we will continue to support the sector so that every eligible parent can access the high-quality childcare they deserve,” she stated.
Capacity Building and Support
To facilitate the expansion, the government has allocated £100 million in capital investment and an additional £12 million in delivery support. This funding, coupled with higher average rates paid by the government for the new entitlements compared to those paid by parents, aims to incentivize providers to increase capacity and staffing levels.
Last year alone, the number of childcare places and staff grew by approximately 15,000 and 13,000, respectively, even before direct government interventions.
Chief Secretary to the Treasury Laura Trott underscored the initiative’s dual purpose, stating,
“Backed by significant funding, we are providing hundreds of thousands of families across the country with access to high-quality childcare – making sure every child has the chance to fulfil their potential while also providing a boost to the economy.”
A Collaborative Effort
While the government remains confident in meeting the demand, with local authorities currently reporting sufficient capacity, parents struggling to find a place are encouraged to contact their local authority for assistance in locating a provider in their area.
The application process requires parents to reconfirm their eligibility every three months, with those applying before June 1st needing to reconfirm their code prior to the offer’s commencement in September.
Sustained Commitment
As the historic childcare expansion continues to unfold, the government’s unwavering commitment to supporting working families and driving economic growth remains evident. Moreover, with the next phase now underway, the focus shifts to ensuring a seamless implementation. This involves fostering collaboration between authorities and providers.
Ultimately, the goal is to deliver on the promise of accessible, high-quality childcare for all eligible families.
For more information on eligibility criteria, application procedures, and updates on the childcare expansion, visit childcarechoices.gov.uk.
Sources: THX News & Department for Education, The Rt Hon Laura Trott MBE MP, The Rt Hon Rishi Sunak MP, & The Rt Hon Gillian Keegan MP.
