Childcare changes from September

Childcare is changing from September. From then, eligible working parents can access up to 15 hours a week of ‘free’ childcare for children from nine months onwards during term time [38 weeks of the year].

This follows on from the extension of 15 hours a week ‘free’ childcare to two year olds in April in term time. The plan is to double this by next September.

Childcare providers have expressed a lot of concern about their ability to meet demand after years of underfunding and amid a recruitment crisis. Many object to the term free childcare, given that funding often doesn’t cover the full cost of providing places, particularly in the case of older children.

Parents can spread the ‘free’ hours over the whole year, meaning they would have fewer than 15 ‘free’ hours a week. Parents – both parents if they are living together – have to be earning at least the equivalent of 16 hours a week on the National Living Wage, either employer or self-employed.

The application system requires parents to reconfirm their eligibility for the government-funded hours childcare every three months.

Parents can apply for codes for September until 31st August and should check their eligibility at childcarechoices.gov.uk, read up on the application process on the Education Hub and are being advised to reach out to their local provider to secure a physical place for their child ahead of time.

• Vote  
• 0
• 0
• You already voted!