UK: Unlocking 15 Hours of Free Care for Two-Year-Olds – A Guide for Parents

Unlocking 15 Hours of Free Care for Two-Year-Olds: From April 2024 on, two-year-olds can apply for 15 hours of free child care.

It comes at a time when the government is continuing to give more kids across the country free child care, which costs up to £8 billion a year.

Unlocking 15 Hours of Free Care for Two-Year-Olds – A Guide for Parents

Some ministers have said that the plans will make babysitting more available than ever before, but charities and experts have said that the plans will only help the wealthiest children and leave the poorest behind.

David Johnston, who is the children’s minister, told The Big Issue, “We have a very generous offer of child care.” A parent who works alone will be able to make up to £100,000 and claim this.

“So it won’t help families with certain types of income, but it will help the vast majority of families.”

The IFS, on the other hand, found that “the poorest third of families will see almost no direct benefit from the new entitlements.”

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You should know what kinds of help you might be able to get. Find out below about the extension of 15 hours of free child care, including how to apply, whether there are enough baby places, and other ways you can get money if you don’t qualify.

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Who gets free child care for 15 hours?

All kids between the ages of three and four get at least 15 hours of free child care every week, for 38 weeks of the year.

Additionally, some two-year-olds from poor homes can already get it. This includes kids whose parents get certain benefits, are cared for by the government, or have an EHCP.

In April 2024, two-year-olds whose parents work will also be able to get 15 hours of free babysitting.

This will only work for parents who work separately and make at least 16 hours a week at the national minimum wage. Each parent can make up to £100,000 a year and still be qualified.

From September 2024 on, working parents with kids between the ages of 9 months and 3 years will be able to get 15 hours of free child care.

How does the 15 hours of free child care work?

It’s offered at early years places that are taking part. In this group are full-day care centers like nurseries and pre-schools, schools, childminders, after-school clubs, playgroups, and Sure Start centers for kids.

These places must be “approved childcare providers,” which means they are listed with Ofsted.

It’s usually 15 hours a week for 38 weeks of the year, but if your childcare provider lets you, you might be able to take less time over more weeks. That’s 570 hours of free time a year.