Browse the site
From 2nd January 2024, applications will open for eligible working parents of two year olds to receive 15 hours of free childcare per week, starting from April 2024.
Eligible working parents of three- and four-year-olds already get 30 hours a week of free childcare and the increased offer will be rolled out in stages to allow childcare providers time to be able to implement the changes, making sure the places that are needed are available across the country when the offers are introduced.
Here are the changes coming into effect...
From April 2024, working parents of two-year-olds will be able to access 15 hours of free childcare.
From September 2024, 15 hours of free childcare will be extended down to the age of nine months for working parents.
From September 2025, working parents of children aged nine months and upwards will be entitled to 30 hours free childcare per week right up to their child starting school.
Who is eligible?
Working parents who individually earn more than £8,670 (from April 2023) but less than £100,000 per year are eligible.
If you’re in a couple, the rules apply to both of you, so you must both earn at least £8,670 and neither one of you can earn more than £100,000.
For more information on the exact criteria and to apply for the funding, head to the Childcare Choices website
If you are looking at childcare options, we have a directory of local pre-schools, day nurseries, nannies and childminders
