The Conservative Government has recently announced a further £289 million investment in wraparound childcare, helping to boost availability and accessibility. This investment follows the announcement of expansions to the Government's free childcare provision, as detailed below:
- From April 2024, the existing provision of 15 or 30 hours for children aged 3-4 will be expanded, and parents will benefit from 15 hours of free child care if their child is aged 2 or over.
- From September 2024, this provision will be expanded to eligible working families with a child between 9 and 23 months old.
- From September 2025, eligible working families with a child between 9 months old and school age will be able to access 30 hours of free childcare.
Further Government schemes include the tax free childcare scheme, tax credit scheme, Universal Credit childcare scheme and further schemes to support parents who are studying.
Find out more and check your eligibility here: https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/
Commenting, Alec said, "I am committed to supporting as many hard working families as possible, and recognise the pressure that childcare arrangements can place on parent's diaries and finances. It is therefore right that the Government is removing these barriers for parents who are looking to return to work or seeking to increase their hours."
