Free Funded Hours – Up to 30 hours childcare for eligible families in England

Significant changes will come into play from April 2024 for those eligible for free childcare in an early years, approved education settings.  Below is an overview of the advances but please visit www.childcarechoices.gov.uk for further information and an eligibility checker.  You can also sign up for updates on when and how to apply so you don’t miss out!

 

COMING SOON

• From April 2024 – up to 15 hours for eligible working families in England with a 2 year old.
• From September 2024 – up to 15 hours for eligible working families in England with a child aged between 9-23 months old.
• From September 2025 – up to 30 hours for eligible working families in England with a child from 9 months old to school age.

 

Currently available for eligible working families in England with children aged 3-4 years

• Up to 15  or 30 hours of early education over 38 weeks of the year.
• A total of 1,140 hours per year, that you can use flexibly with one or more childcare provider.
• some providers will allow you to stretch the hours over 52 weeks, using fewer hours per week.

 

Currently available to ALL FAMILIES in England with children ages 3-4 years

• 15 hours of childcare or early education for 38 weeks (up to 570 hours per year) that you can use flexibly with one or more providers.
• Some providers will allow you to stretch the hours over 52 weeks, using fewer hours per week.

 

Currently available to families in England receiving some additional forms of Government support for children aged 2 years

• 15 hours of childcare or early education for 38 weeks (up to 570 hours per year) that you can use flexibly with one or more providers.
• Some providers will allow you to stretch the hours over 52 weeks, using fewer hours per week.

 

Please visit www.childcarechoices.gov.uk for further details, eligibility calculator and sign up for updates.