Parents are advised to submit applications for free childcare in the next three days to avoid missing out on support worth up to £7,500 annually. Currently, working parents of nine-month-olds can access 15 hours of free childcare weekly, with an expansion to 30 hours starting in September. To be eligible for free childcare for children aged between nine months and two years, parents must be employed, earning at least the national minimum wage equivalent for 16 hours per week, and have an annual income below £100,000. For couples, both parents must meet the criteria. Children aged three and four are entitled to 15 hours of free childcare weekly, irrespective of their parents’ employment status.
To claim the full 30 hours of free childcare, working parents with children in these age groups must meet the specified income requirements. Typically spanning 38 weeks to cover term time, free childcare can be utilized at a reduced weekly rate. The childcare must be provided by a registered caregiver, such as private nurseries or state-run pre-schools.
The outlined rules apply to England, with distinct childcare systems in Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland. Registration for free childcare must be completed on the GOV.UK website. Additionally, £600 million is being allocated to extend the Holiday Activities and Food program for another three years, aiding children from lower-income families with free meals and beneficial activities during school breaks.
The Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) program enables parents to save over £300 annually. Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson emphasized the government’s commitment to offering 30 hours of government-funded early education to hundreds of thousands of children. The initiative aims to provide financial relief for families, facilitate parents’ return to work, and reduce the burden on grandparents who often provide support. Parents eligible for the program are encouraged to take advantage of the offering.