THOUSANDS of parents can apply for extra free childcare within weeks in a boost for households.
Currently, all parents of three and four-year-olds can claim 570 hours of free childcare a year, equating to 15 hours a week, while some can get 30 hours a week too.
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But from April 2024, working parents of two-year-olds will be able to access 15 hours of free childcare per week.
Working parents are classed as those who individually earn more than £8,670 but less than £100,000 adjusted net income a year.
For couples, the rules apply to both parents, so both must earn at least £8,670 and neither can earn more than £100,000.
Parents eligible for the free childcare boost from next April can register within a matter of weeks – with applications opening on January 2.
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They will be able to register on the Childcare Choices page on the Government’s website.
Gillian Keegan, education secretary, said: “Our fantastic childcare offer is going to start supporting eligible families in less than six months’ time, and I want to make sure that parents and providers are prepared.
“From April next year, eligible working parents of 2-year-olds will be able to access 15 hours of government-funded childcare a week, making sure parents no longer have to choose between a career and a family.”
Fifteen hours free childcare will be expanded to working parents of nine-month-olds to two-year-olds from September, after those with children aged two start receiving the boost.
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From September 2025, all eligible working parents of children aged nine months up to three years will be able to access 30 hours of free childcare a week.
How can I apply for free childcare?
Currently, you can apply for 15 hours free childcare through a nearby childcare provider or your local council.
You can find what council area you fall under by using the Government’s council locator tool.
You can apply for 30 hours free childcare on the Government’s website and from when your child is two years and 36 weeks old.
Once you have applied for a childcare account you receive a code which you have to give to your provider.
You should check with your childcare provider to find out the exact date your 30 hours of free childcare will start.
Crucially, you have to reconfirm your eligibility every three months.
What other childcare help is available?
There are a number of tax breaks and grants designed to help with the cost of childcare.
You can usually use them for care like registered childminders, nannies, playschemes, nurseries, and holiday clubs.
It’s worth checking out the Government’s childcare costs calculator to figure out which scheme will save you the most money though, as not all can be claimed at the same time.
Free childcare for two-year-olds
Parents living in England and claiming any of the below benefits can access some free childcare for two-year-olds:
- Income support
- Income-based jobseeker’s allowance (JSA)
- Income-related employment and support allowance (ESA)
- Universal Credit (where household income is £15,400 a year or less after tax, not including benefit payments)
- Tax credits (where household income is £16,190 a year or less before tax)
- Pension Credit (guaranteed element)
Two-year-olds can also get free childcare if they:
- Are looked after by a local authority
- Have an education, health and care (EHC) plan
- Get disability living allowance
- Have left care under an adoption order, special guardianship order or a child arrangements order
You may have to pay for extra costs like meals, nappies or trips.
You should contact your childcare provider or local council to find out more.
Tax-free childcare
Those not on Universal Credit or Tax Credits may qualify for tax-free childcare.
You can get up to £500 every three months – up to a maximum of £2,000 a year – for each of your children.
If your child is disabled, you can claim more – £1,000 every three months, up to £4,000 maximum per year.
Anyone eligible can sign up by creating an online childcare account via the Government’s website.
Child benefit
You can get child benefit if you’re responsible for a child aged under 16, or if they are under 20 and in approved education or training.
Child benefit is currently worth £24 a week for the eldest child or only child, worth £1,248 a year.
For each subsequent child, parents get £15.90 a week – or £826.80 a year.
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The cash is paid every four weeks and there’s no limit to how many children you can apply for.
Bear in mind though, those who earn more than £50,000 a year may need to pay back some of their child benefit through the High Income Child Benefit Charge.
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