At the moment, parents who work more than 16 hours a week and earn under £100,000 have been entitled to 30 hours of childcare support each week for their three and four-year-olds.
However, from April, childcare support is expanding to allow eligible working parents of two-year-olds to be entitled to 15 hours a week.
The scheme means that eventually working parents with children over the age of nine months will be entitled to 30 hours a week of childcare support, however this will be phased in gradually.
From September 2024, eligible working parents of children from the age of nine months will be able to get 15 hours a week of childcare support.
By September 2025, this will increase to 30 hours of weekly childcare support.
These hours can be spread across as many as 52 weeks annually if parents use less than their total allotted weekly hours.
Parents of disadvantaged 2 year olds will still be eligible for 15 hours a week of free early learning and should apply through the online free early learning for 2 year olds application form.
This government childcare plan is based on the Department for Education’s forecast that there is adequate early years provision across Brighton and Hove to allow this expansion in childcare.
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Eligibility for the scheme can be verified and applications can now be made online at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/.
Lucy Helliwell, joint chairwoman of the children, families and schools committee on Brighton and Hove City Council said: “Childcare is one of the most significant expenses facing working families, and so we welcome the increase in the number of hours they can receive in childcare support from April 2024.
“Doubling the support available will make childcare more accessible, not only helping parents with the current cost of living crisis but also helping anyone looking to get back into work or increase their hours.
“We’d encourage everyone eligible for childcare support to take up the offer.”
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