Families are being encouraged to see if they are eligible for up to 30 hours of complimentary childcare per week before an approaching deadline. To secure funding by September, applications must be submitted by August 31. The Department for Education (DfE) states that qualifying families could potentially save up to £7,500 annually through the free childcare initiative.
Parents working with nine-month-old children can currently access 15 hours of free childcare weekly, with this allocation increasing to 30 hours weekly starting in September. To qualify for free childcare for children aged between nine months and two years, parents must earn the equivalent of the national minimum wage for at least 16 hours per week on average, with an annual income of less than £100,000.
This eligibility extends to both parents in a couple. All parents of three and four-year-olds are entitled to 15 hours of free childcare every week as a standard provision, irrespective of their employment status. The expansion of childcare benefits for young children follows a recent state pension warning affecting certain age groups.
Parents meeting the income criteria for children in the specified age range can claim the full 30 hours of free childcare. Typically utilized over 38 weeks to cover term time, the free hours can be spread out further by using fewer hours weekly. The free childcare must be utilized with a registered childcare provider, such as private nurseries or state-run pre-schools, with the outlined regulations applicable in England. Separate free childcare systems are in place in Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland.
Registration for free childcare must be completed through the GOV.UK platform, requiring the National Insurance number or Unique Taxpayer Reference for self-employed individuals. Additionally, applicants must provide the UK birth certificate reference numbers for the children in question and details of their work commencement date.
For individuals in a marriage, civil partnership, or cohabiting relationship, both partners must be included in the application. Upon approval, applicants receive a code to present to their childcare provider, with HMRC verifying eligibility based on PAYE records.
According to Early Education Minister Stephen Morgan, the government’s initiative aims to support families, fulfill promises, and enhance children’s early education experiences. The minister emphasized the financial benefits to parents, the facilitation of preferred job choices, and the positive impact on children’s developmental outcomes through quality early education. Families are encouraged to visit the Childcare Choices website before the deadline on August 31.