Major expansion of childcare support

The biggest expansion of childcare in UK history has officially commenced, offering a financial reprieve for working parents of two-year-olds by providing them 15 hours of government-funded childcare each week. This allows staff to access government-funded childcare for their 2-year-olds, easing the financial strain and enabling them to balance their professional responsibilities with family commitments more effectively

CREDIT: This is an edited version of an article that originally appeared on DfE

From 1 April 2024, thousands of parents are starting to benefit from the government’s ambitious rollout aimed at reducing the financial burden of childcare. This initiative marks a pivotal shift towards supporting working parents, ensuring they do not have to choose between career progression and family life.

By September 2025, the programme will reach full implementation, allowing parents to access 30 hours of childcare weekly from the end of maternity leave until their child starts school. This is expected to save families an average of £6,900 annually.

To facilitate this expansion, the government has increased the number of childcare places and staff. Initiatives include a major recruitment campaign and a substantial £400 million boost in funding for the 2024 to 2025 period. Further financial support of around £500 million is planned over the next two years, ensuring that childcare providers are well-equipped to meet demand.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has affirmed, “Last year we promised the biggest ever expansion in childcare provision this country has ever seen, and today we are delivering on our plan with 15 hours of free childcare for parents with 2-year-olds.”

Education Secretary Gillian Keegan highlighted the broader impacts of the initiative, noting that it not only alleviates financial pressure on families but also enhances economic growth by enabling parents to pursue new career opportunities or increase their work hours.

This initiation not only eases financial burdens but also promotes a healthier work-life balance, ensuring that parents can focus on their professional responsibilities without compromising their family commitments.