Applications for expanded childcare funding to soon open

The government has confirmed that applications for the first wave of its expansions of free childcare for working parents will open at the start of the new year.

From January 2, eligible working parents with children aged two-years-old will be able to register to access 15 hours of free childcare per week which will come into effect from April 2024. Meanwhile, the government is recommending parents to register between mid-January and the end of February.

From today (November 20) funding has also been made available for new childminders who completed their registration on or after March 15, 2023 or for those re-registering at least 12 months after the cancellation of a previous registration. Overall, there will be £600 available for those who choose to register with Ofsted and £1,200 for those who choose to register with a childminder agency.

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Education Secretary Gillian Keegan said: "Our fantastic childcare offer is going to start supporting eligible families in less than 6 months’ time, and I want to make sure that parents and providers are prepared. From April next year, eligible working parents of 2-year-olds will be able to access 15 hours of government-funded childcare a week, making sure parents no longer have to choose between a career and a family, and doubling down on this government’s commitment to getting more people into work and growing the economy.

"I know the delivery of this transformation is no easy task, which is why I am pushing ahead with increased funding rates across the country and up to £1,200