Government extends access to free childcare

Parents of pre-school age children can now apply for 30 hours of free childcare.

Last year, the government extended the 15 hours free childcare scheme to eligible parents of children aged between nine months and three years old.

And according to official figures, almost half a million children have benefited from this expansion.

Ministers are now going further by offering up to 30 hours of funded childcare a week.

Applications are open now to eligible working parents of children who will be nine months old before 1 September.

Lower-income families benefiting from free childcare

The government believes the expansion of free childcare will boost the finances of many families, in particular those on lower incomes.

A survey shows that following last year’s changes, a fifth of those earning £20,000-£40,000 a year have increased their working hours.

Figures also reveal that more than half of those planning to increase their childcare hours from September intend to work more hours too.

The Department for Education (DfE) described this as “good news for families and good news for employers”.

Official estimates suggest the free childcare expansion will save parents up to £7,500 a year per child.

The DfE said this figure rises to up to £8,000 for parents who also have school-aged children, thanks to measures such as free breakfast clubs and the school uniform cap.

This is just the beginning, says education secretary

“Early years is my number one priority,” said education secretary Bridget Phillipson.

“Making sure families are able to benefit from this rollout is a promise made and promise kept.

“But this is just the beginning.

“Through the hard work of the sector, supported by our record investment, landmark school-based nursery rollout and focus on vital early learning support, we will deliver an early years system that gives every child the best start in life.”

The announcement has been welcomed by Mumsnet, which said “countless women” have been driven out of work by “unaffordable childcare”.

Chief executive Justine Roberts believes this expansion of support is a “major step” in tackling this problem and will give parents the “freedom to stay in work if they choose”.

“We urge all eligible parents to check what they’re entitled to and make full use of it,” she added.