Starting today, tens of thousands of working parents in England can apply for up to 30 hours of funded childcare for their children. This initiative, which begins in September, will help working families save as much as £7,500 a year per child.
The new benefit applies to parents whose children are at least 9 months old by 1st September. For families with school-aged children, the savings can rise to £8,000 annually, factoring in government-supported initiatives such as the free breakfast club and school uniform caps.
This move builds on last year’s successful introduction of 15 funded hours for children aged 9 months and older, which has already helped 499,592 children access more affordable, high-quality early years education.
Despite challenges in delivery, the government remains committed to improving access to childcare to ensure every child has the best start in life. The Plan for Change, which supports the rollout, includes measures like hundreds of new school-based nurseries and a £2 billion investment to increase the number of staff and childcare places in time for September. This will help meet the demand for 35,000 additional staff and 70,000 new places.
A recent survey of parents who took advantage of the childcare benefits last year has shown positive results. It revealed that the expansion is not only helping families but also supporting British businesses and driving economic growth. Notably, families earning between £20,000 and £40,000 saw the biggest impact, with one in five increasing their working hours thanks to the 15 hours of funded childcare introduced last year.
Looking ahead to this September, over half of the 2,723 survey respondents planning to increase their childcare hours are also planning to extend their work hours. This is good news both for families and employers alike.
Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson emphasized the government’s commitment to ensuring that every child starts school ready to learn. She described early years education as her top priority and reaffirmed that the government will continue investing in early learning and supporting childcare providers to deliver the best possible outcomes for children.
The success of the rollout so far highlights the dedication of nurseries, pre-schools, and childminders, as well as local authorities. Out of 6,337 applicants last autumn, 6,123 successfully secured a place.
Sophie Lovell, a parent from Nottingham, shared her positive experience with the 15 funded hours. She said, “The government’s childcare support has been fantastic for our family. Having my child in formal childcare has provided wonderful opportunities for her to play, learn, and grow.”
The government also stresses that early years education goes beyond financial benefits. Access to high-quality childcare helps children develop social skills, confidence, and readiness for school. According to the government survey, 83% of parents agree that early education is crucial for children’s social development.
To further support children’s development, the government has launched a consultation on how to make better use of outdoor play spaces in nurseries. Currently, the early years framework focuses on indoor spaces, but many providers say they could improve their outdoor offerings if given more flexibility.
The consultation will explore whether nurseries should be allowed to count outdoor spaces as part of the official requirements for how many children they can accommodate. The goal is to ensure that outdoor areas, such as gardens and play zones, can be fully integrated into the early learning experience for young children.
Experts are also welcoming these changes. Justine Roberts, founder and CEO of Mumsnet, said, “We’ve heard from many women who were pushed out of work by unaffordable childcare. This expansion is a huge step forward in giving parents, particularly mothers, the option to stay in work, which benefits families and the economy.”
Matthew Percival, Director of the CBI’s Future of Work and Skills, also praised the rollout, stating that expanding childcare support would stimulate economic growth. By increasing funded hours, the government is giving families more flexibility and helping employers tap into a wider talent pool.
Lydia Hopper, CEO of Grandir UK, expressed support for incorporating outdoor play into early childhood education requirements. She emphasized the importance of outdoor activities for children’s physical health, confidence, and overall well-being, noting that such play is integral to children’s learning and development.
This new phase in funded childcare is a significant step towards supporting families and enhancing the UK’s early years education system, helping to shape a more productive future for both children and the economy.
