What are the changes happening to free childcare through 2024?
As we are all looking for ways to save money, especially young families, any help offered is greatly welcomed. The rolling out of the government’s funding for childcare is a great change for the better, and will help many working families. But, government websites can be a bit overwhelming.
We’ve decided to break down different parts of the scheme, and summarise with some FAQs.
Quick Note: The details here are for families in England, for details in other parts of the UK, please check the Gov website. Also, “15 hours a week” is usually referring to term-time only, and your childcare provider may charge for meals, nappies and outings on top of your funded hours. Before you sign up to anything, it’s best to check the exact details with your childcare provider.
Hours For Eligible 3-4 Year Olds
A scheme that is already in place is funding for 3 to 4-year-olds.
All 3 to 4-year-olds in England can get 570 free hours per year. It’s usually taken as 15 hours a week for 38 weeks of the year. (so term time) But you can choose to take fewer hours over more weeks, meaning you can take more hours on other weeks.
If you qualify for tax-free childcare (see the gov website for more details), then you could also qualify for 30 hours of free childcare for your 3 or 4-year-old.
Upcoming Changes:
April 2024 – 15 hours for 2-year-olds
If you have a toddler who turns two on or before 31st March and you are an eligible, you can apply for up to 15 hours childcare. To check you qualify, you need to set up a Childcare Account on the Gov website.
If you have a Childcare Account already (if you are receiving tax-free childcare already you will have an account), log into this account. You will see dates for a 3-month window, for when you next need to reconfirm your eligibility for tax-free childcare. When it is time to reconfirm, if you still qualify, confirm the details about your work (and your partner’s, if you have a partner). You will receive a secure message on your childcare account confirming your eligibility. A further message will be sent with the unique code for your child’s funded hours. Keep this number safe, as your childcare provider will need it. Check that your childcare provider is accepting funded places, by asking them or checking your local council’s website.
It is recommended that you apply to get your code between 15th January -28th February 2024. This means you will not need to reconfirm your eligibility again before the offer starts in April.
September 2024 -15 Hours for 9-23 Months
Dates for applying and full details of the next stages of funding have not been shared yet. But it may be similar to applying for 15 hours for two-year-olds. Nearer the time the childcare choices website will give more information.
September 2025
In terms of long-distance future, in September 2025, there will be up to 30 hours for families with a child from 9 months old up to school age.
Helen’s Story
Helen Holding, Growth Marketing Assistant for Team Happity and a mum to a toddler (and another baby on the way!), shares her experience with the new childcare scheme:
I was initially overwhelmed by all of the different headlines saying “you can apply now” and was worried about missing out. As I am eligible with a two-year-old, I am keen to take up this new scheme. Once the time period for my reconfirmation on my childcare account came around, it was really easy and no different to what I do every 3 months anyway. Immediately, I received my unique code for my daughter as a secure message. I also had questions about when I go on maternity leave later in the year, and how that will affect funded hours for my two-year-old. I phoned the childcare helpline, who were really friendly and assured me I can still make use of the scheme for my toddler, even when on maternity leave.
Frequently Asked Questions:
How do I actually apply for two-year-old funding?
If you have a Childcare Account already (if you are receiving tax-free childcare already you will have an account), log into this account. You will see dates for a 3-month window, for when you next need to reconfirm your eligibility for tax-free childcare. When it is time to reconfirm, if you still qualify, confirm the details about your work (and your partner’s, if you have a partner). You will receive a secure message on your childcare account confirming your eligibility. A further message will be sent with the unique code for your child’s funded hours. Keep this number safe, as your childcare provider will need it. Check that your childcare provider is accepting funded places, by asking them or checking your local council’s website.
Do all nurseries and childminders etc accept 2-year-old funding?
Not all registered childcare providers will accept funded places. Please check with your childcare provider or look on your local council’s website.
Can everyone get 15 hours of free childcare for two-year-olds?
Not everyone. You need to meet the eligibility criteria, which is the same for tax-free childcare:
- Be working at least 16 hours per week on the National Minimum Wage or Living Wage.
- If you are not working and you have a partner who does work, you may be eligible, so it is worth checking on the Gov website.
- If you are self-employed (or employed but do not get paid regularly), you can use an average of how much you expect to earn over the current tax year.
Can 3 and 4-year-olds still get funded hours?
All 3 and 4-year-olds can get 15 hours of free childcare, this is not subject to the eligibility criteria of other offers.
Does the funding cover everything?
No, it will only cover hours during term time. Your childcare provider may charge for meals, nappies, and outings on top of your funded hours.
If I am on maternity leave with my baby but I have a toddler in childcare, can I still get tax-free childcare and funded hours?
If you are on maternity leave with your baby, and have another child in nursery, then you can still get tax-free childcare and help with funding for your toddler. But you cannot get help with childcare for the baby that you are on maternity leave with.
I’m self-employed, can I still be eligible?
Yes, if you are self-employed, you will be asked for your UTR number. You can use an average of how much you expect to earn over the current tax year.
I get Universal Credit, can I still use tax-free childcare?
Yes, you can use tax-free childcare along with Universal Credit Childcare.
I use different childcare providers on different days, will the scheme still work?
You can use your hours at up to two different providers per day, as long as they are registered providers.
What if I use fewer than 15 hours of childcare per week?
If you use fewer hours per week, some providers will allow you to spread your hours across more weeks throughout the year.
Helpful contacts:
Search for Childcare Choices Here
Childcare Service Helpline: 0300 123 4097
Disclosure: Team Happity are not government officials, and do not claim to be. In writing this article, we are hoping to help families to understand this situation. Please check out gov.uk for the official guidance.
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