Applications open for landmark 30 hours of government-funded childcare expansion

Applications open for landmark 30 hours of government-funded childcare expansion

• New data finds 8,394 children already benefitting from the 15 hours extended childcare offer in Leicestershire as applications open for 30 hour expansion.
• Eligible working parents to double their savings, reaching up to £7,500 per child, to put money back in people’s pockets
• Families on lower incomes see the biggest benefit as a new survey shows the childcare offer is boosting work choices

Working parents in Leicestershire will soon see cash back in their pockets as the government opens applications for 30 hours of funded childcare from September. Parents earning over £195 per week and having children who will be 9 months old before the 1st September can now apply to access up to 30 hours of funded childcare a week, saving them up to £7,500 per year per child.

Eligible working parents on Universal Credit can receive even more financial help with their childcare costs for children under 17. This can be up to a maximum of £1,031.88 per month for one child or up to £1,768.94 per month for two or more children.

With the rollout of Labour’s free breakfast clubs and school uniform cap, savings rise to up to £8,000 for working parents with school-aged children, every year. This latest milestone follows the successful rollout of 15 funded hours from last September, with children benefiting from access to more affordable and high-quality early years education and childcare.

A new survey of parents who took up the childcare hours last September has found that the rollout is breaking down barriers to opportunity and playing a key role in supporting British business. Lower-income families are seeing the biggest impact, with one in five of those earning £20,000 to £40,000 having increased their working hours due to the entitlement introduced last year.

Welcoming the expansion of the scheme, Amanda Hack said:

“I regularly hear from families on the doorstep that childcare remains unaffordable. I’m pleased we are not just doubling the amount of hours being funded but restricting the cost of additional items in childcare settings for those parents in greatest need. That’s why I urge parents to take advantage of the support available from this government, as we work to improve life chances for children and expand employment opportunities for parents.

We’re putting thousands of pounds back into parents ‘ pockets through initiatives like government-funded childcare, free breakfast clubs, and lower uniform costs. Every child in North West Leicestershire deserves the best possible start in life, and we must continue breaking down barriers to opportunity for our young people across all aspects of their childhood.”

Justine Roberts, Founder and CEO of Mumsnet, said:

“We’ve heard from countless women on Mumsnet pushed out of work by unaffordable childcare. This expansion of support is a major step in tackling that – giving parents, especially mothers, the freedom to stay in work if they choose, which benefits families and the economy. “We urge all eligible parents to check what they’re entitled to and make full use of it.”

Labour has always been clear that early years is about even more than family finances. Access to high-quality early education and childcare helps children build confidence, learn social skills, and prepare for school. 83% of parents in the government’s survey agree it is important for children’s social development.

ENDS