Early education funding for two, three and four-year-olds

At the Spring Budget 2023, the Government announced that funded childcare will be expanded to parents of eligible children over the age of nine months. Changes will start from April 2024.

The Government are introducing free childcare gradually, to make sure that providers can meet the needs of more families. The changes are set out below:

• From April 2024, working parents of two-year-olds will be able to access 15 hours of funded childcare a week
• From September 2024, working parents of children from the age of 9 months will be able to access 15 hours of funded childcare a week
• From September 2025, working parents of children from the age of 9 months up to school age will be able to access 30 hours of funded childcare a week

Further information is available from:

• The Education Hub – Free childcare: how we are tackling the cost of childcare
• GOV.UK - Childcare Choices: 30 hours free childcare, tax-free childcare and more
• GOV.UK - Childcare Choices: Upcoming changes to childcare support