Local MP Alan Mak has welcomed the expansion of Government childcare support to help working parents.
From April eligible working parents of two-year-olds will be able to access 15 hours of childcare, but applications must be made by 31 March 2024.
Support will then continue to be extended in phases. From September 2024, the 15 hours of childcare will be extended to eligible working parents of children from the age of nine months to three-year-olds.
Parents whose children will be two or older by August 31 can apply from April 1, while those with children aged between nine and 23 months on August 31 can apply from May 12.
By September 2025, most working families with children under the age of five will be entitled to 30 hours of childcare support.
The changes are being introduced gradually to make sure that providers can meet the needs of more families.
Depending on your provider, the hours can be used over 38 weeks of the year, or up to 52 weeks if you use fewer than your total hours per week.
This is the biggest-ever investment in childcare by a UK Government, doubling the amount it expects to spend over the next few years from around £4 billion to around £8 billion each year.
Until now only eligible working parents of three and four-year-olds have been able to access 30 hours of childcare support.
Mr Mak recently visited Tops Day Nursery Havant, in the grounds of Trosnant Junior School, which is among nurseries in the Havant area that will offer the extended childcare.
He welcomed David Johnston, the Minister for children, families and wellbeing, to the nursery as the Government launched a national recruitment campaign to encourage more people to work in the early learning sector.
Mr Mak said: "Many more working parents in the Havant Constituency will benefit from the extension of free childcare. It will help mums in particular to stay in work and keep the economy growing."
He added: "Childcare is a major cost for parents and the Government wants to make it more affordable and more accessible, reducing the barriers preventing some parents from going back to work."
To apply, go to https://www.gov.uk/apply-free-childcare-if-youre-working. You may find out if you’re eligible straight away, but it can take up to seven days. Once your application has been approved, you’ll get a code to give to your childcare provider.
Parents that have a preferred place for September should reach out now to their local provider to secure a physical place for their child ahead of time.
To make sure there are enough places available, the Government is investing over £400 million in 2024-25 to increase the hourly rates paid to local authorities.
