Free Childcare Extended to Help More Families

Parents in Tameside are being encouraged to check if they are eligible for free childcare as part of the government’s Working Parent Entitlement.

From April, the government is introducing free childcare to eligible working parents with a 2-year-old. Later in the year there will be an expansion of the entitlement with free childcare for children from 9-months old.

For the initial roll-out in April, if both parents or a lone parent earn on average at least £167 per week (equal to 16-hours and the National Minimum or Living Wage), they will be able to claim 15-hours free childcare over 38 weeks of the year, from the term after their child’s second birthday. Parents must apply and be issued with a valid eligibility code, and their child must have reached their second birthday on or before 31 March 2024.

Tameside Council Deputy Executive Leader, Councillor Bill Fairfoull, said: “Affordable childcare has long been a barrier for many parents in Tameside, so I hope this scheme will alleviate difficulties families have faced. I’m pleased to know that further help will be coming over the next year so that more children are included in the Working Parent Entitlement to help with the cost of living for local parents.”

Additional support will be coming from September, as the government offer will be extended to eligible working parents with a child from 9-months old. Parents must apply and have been issued with a valid eligibility code, and their child must have reached 9-months old on or before 31 August 2024.

To check if you are eligible for free childcare and to apply, visit the Childcare Choices website at www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/

For more information on how to find a place, contact the Family Information Service on 0161 342 4260.