Expecting mother at 32 weeks: Understanding the process of utilizing the recently introduced free childcare hours.
New 30 Hours of Free Childcare Now Available in England
Parents in England can now benefit from an expanded childcare offering, with the introduction of 30 hours of free childcare per week for children aged between nine months and four years. This new entitlement, equivalent to 1,140 hours per year based on 38 weeks of term time, is designed to support working families.
To be eligible, both parents must be in paid work, or about to start, with each of their salaries between 16 hours per week at the national minimum wage and £100,000 per year. Single parents can also apply if they meet the same criteria.
The application for this free childcare can be made via the gov.uk website. Eligibility must be re-confirmed every three months, so it's worth setting a reminder to avoid forgetting.
Many nurseries offer a 'stretched' option, spreading the hours across the whole year, which can be helpful if you need childcare during school holidays or year-round. However, if you choose this option, your weekly funded hours will be lower.
It's important to note that the funding will pay for up to 30 hours per week over term time. Nurseries may charge for anything beyond the funded hours. The nursery can help you work out what this looks like and what the costs might be. For example, if you split your 1,140 hours across the whole 52 weeks of the year, you would get 22 hours per week over 52 weeks.
Optional costs when using free childcare in England may include expenses for meals, additional hours beyond the free entitlement, travel to and from the childcare provider, and certain activities or materials that are not covered by the free provision. These extras must be voluntary and not a precondition for accessing the free hours.
A nursery cannot impose top-up fees, registration fees, or deposits. Parents can ask the nursery if they can provide the extras they might charge for themselves, such as nappies or snacks.
It's a great opportunity for parents to manage their work and family life more effectively, and we encourage eligible families to make use of this new entitlement.
Read also:
- Recommendations propose stricter controls on MMRV immunizations, as suggested by Kennedy's advisory group
- Mourning a Mother's Death: Strategies for Daughters to Find Comfort
- Heed this: There's no more room for turning back.
- Distinguishing between a cold and allergies is crucial for providing relief to your children's respiratory issues
