The Chancellor of the Exchequer will usher in changes that mean families will be able to access extended free childcare for all under 5s.
A string of changes to reform employment and get more people into work was unveiled as Jeremy Hunt delivered his spring statement to MPs on Wednesday (March 15). In an effort to remove barriers to work, he promised up to 30 hours a week of free childcare for eligible households in England with children as young as nine months, instead of three and four-year-olds under the current policy.
The phased policy will be worth up to £6,500 a year for working families. Meanwhile Mr Hunt said he will also increase funding paid to nurseries providing free childcare under the hours offer by £204 million from this September, rising to £288 million next year.
READ MORE: The 10 key announcement's from Jeremy Hunt's Spring Budget including childcare changes
The Chancellor went on to announce a boost for childcare suppliers, with the Government piloting incentive payments of £600 for childminders joining the profession – £1,200 if they join through an agency. He also pledged an expansion in wrap-around care at the start and finish of the school day for parents with older children and changes to staff-to-child ratios in England to expand supply of childcare.
Read on to find out who is eligible for the free 30 hours childcare and when it begins.
Who is eligible?
The 30 hours offer will be available as soon as maternity care ends. To be eligible, all adults in the household must be working 16 hours.
When will the move come into effect?
As the reform is so large, it will be introduced in stages to ensure there is enough supply in the market, Mr Hunt said.
Working parents of two-year-olds will be able to access 15 hours of free care from April 2024. From September 2024, that 15 hours will be extended to all children from 9 months up.
From September 2025, every single working parent of under 5s will have access to 30 hours free childcare.
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