Families are being encouraged to verify their eligibility for up to 30 hours of complimentary childcare per week before an approaching deadline. To secure funding for September, applications must be submitted by August 31. The Department for Education (DfE) asserts that qualified families could potentially save up to £7,500 annually through the free childcare initiative.
Currently, working parents of nine-month-olds can access 15 hours of free childcare weekly, but this allocation is set to increase to 30 hours weekly starting in September. Parents of children aged between nine months and two years must meet the criteria of earning the equivalent of the national minimum wage for 16 hours per week on average, with a total annual income below £100,000, in order to qualify for free childcare.
This eligibility criterion applies to both parents in a couple. Additionally, all parents with three- and four-year-olds are entitled to 15 hours of free childcare each week as a standard benefit, irrespective of their employment status. The announcement follows a recent state pension caution for individuals within specific age brackets.
To qualify for the full 30 hours of free childcare, working parents with children within the specified age range must meet the income requirements. Typically, these free childcare hours are utilized over 38 weeks to align with school term times, although parents can opt to spread them out by using fewer hours per week.
The free childcare hours must be utilized with a registered childcare provider, such as select private nurseries or state-operated pre-schools. The aforementioned regulations specifically apply to England, as different free childcare systems are in place in Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland.
Registration for free childcare is done through the GOV.UK platform, requiring your National Insurance number or Unique Taxpayer Reference if you are self-employed. You will also need the UK birth certificate reference numbers of all applicable children and details of your employment start date.
For married couples, civil partners, or cohabitating partners, joint applications are necessary. Upon approval, you will receive a code to present to your childcare provider for verification of eligibility by HMRC through your PAYE records.
Stephen Morgan, the Early Education Minister, emphasized the significance of the expanded funded childcare, noting its potential to assist families in saving money, pursuing desired career paths, and providing quality early education to more children. The minister urged families to visit the Childcare Choices website before the August 31 deadline to explore available support options.
