Expansion to Free Early Education and Childcare 2024-2025

 

Introduction

The government have announced an expansion to the existing early year’s entitlements starting in April 2024. Eligible families will be able to access up to 30 hours per week of early education, from the term after their child turns 9 months old. This is called the 'Working Parent Entitlement.'

The expansion is being rolled out in stages. This page outlines the information currently available about the changes for early years and will be updated when more details are available.

2 Year Olds

From April 2024, eligible working families will be able to access 15 hours of early education over 38 weeks of the year from the term after their child's 2nd birthday. This will increase to 30 hours from September 2025

9 - 23 Months

From September 2024, eligible working families will be able to access 15 hours of early education over 38 weeks of the year from the term after their child turns 9 months old. This will increase to 30 hours from September 2025.

Application Process

The application process will remain the same as the current 30 Hours offer for 3 and 4 year olds with HMRC determining eligibility via the Childcare Choices Service. 

From the 2 January 2024, parents of 2 year olds will be able to apply for an eligibility code. To access the working parent entitlement from 1 April 2024, families must have been issued with a valid eligibility code and their child must have reached their 2nd birthday on or before 31 March 2024. The eligibility code must then be given to the Childcare Provider.

The Childcare Choices website brings together all of the existing childcare offers in one place, so parents can find the right offer for their family. 

Visit the Childcare Choices website to check what offer you might be eligible for: https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/