Don’t miss out on new extended childcare entitlements for working parents

From April this year, eligible working parents with children who are aged two-years-old will have access to 15 hours of childcare.

Eligible working parents can now apply to receive up to 15 hours of funded childcare per week (up to 570 hours per year) from the term after their child’s second birthday.

You can only apply for the first phase of the new working parent entitlement if your child is already two-years-old, or will have had their second birthday on or before March 31 this year.

Find out your eligibility and how to apply for the April 2024 offer by visiting the Childcare Choices website at www.childcarechoices.gov.uk. Parents have until March 31 to apply for a code to receive the funded place in the summer term of this year.

The best time to apply is before the end of February, in case families need to provide further information to support their application. Children must be attending their childcare place by Thursday 16 May this year to receive the funded place.

You can also use Tax-Free Childcare or Universal Credit for Childcare whilst claiming for 15 or 30 hours of childcare support.

More childcare support coming soon

The expansion of childcare doesn’t stop there.

From this September, the 15 hours’ childcare offer will be expanded to eligible working parents in England with children aged between nine months and 23 months.

Then from September 2025, eligible working parents with children from nine months up to school age will have access to 30 hours of childcare.

Support is also expanding for primary school children – from September this year, parents are expected to see an expansion in the availability of childcare in their local area before and after school, between 8am and 6pm, also known as ‘wraparound care’. This is to be paid for by parents.

Lead Officer for Early Years and Childcare Penny Thompson said: “Don’t miss out on getting the support you are entitled to. Visit the Childcare Choices website at www.childcarechoices.gov.uk to check what offer you might be eligible for and apply. You can also sign up to their newsletter to get the latest updates about the childcare support expansion.”

For more information on the Hartlepool childcare expansion please call the Childcare Team on 01429 523523 or email [email protected]