With significant changes to childcare funding taking effect in 2024, more eligible working parents across England will now be entitled to childcare support. The UK government has announced that from September 2024, all eligible working parents can access 15 hours free childcare for 9 month olds and we’re thrilled to announce that we’ll be offering funded places for working families here at Stepping Stones.
The current offering has meant that families who have children aged between 9 months and 2 years old are not entitled to any childcare funding. However, the introduction of this new offer means the 15 hours of free childcare for 9 month olds will start immediately after maternity or paternity leave ends, giving even more working families access to this crucial funding and allowing parents to go back to work.
Funded childcare for 9 month olds is available to eligible working families in England. The funding usually begins from the term after your child turns 9 months old, rather than immediately on their 9 month birthday.
Funded hours are usually offered over 38 weeks of the year, although some childcare providers may allow the hours to be stretched across more weeks by using fewer hours each week. At Stepping Stones, we can explain how funded childcare places work and help you understand what this may look like for your child’s nursery routine.
You might be wondering who is eligible for the new childcare changes in 2024 and how you can apply for this funding. Keep reading as we answer these important questions below.
The eligibility criteria for 15 hours free childcare for 9 month olds is all about how much you earn, not the number of hours you work. It applies to parents or carers in dual-parent households, as well as single parents or carers in a lone-parent household. Each parent must:
Apprentices will also be eligible, so long as they earn the equivalent of 16 hours on the apprentice minimum wage. Self-employed workers and zero-hour contract workers will also be eligible if you also expect to meet the average earning criteria over the next three months.
If you’re unsure you’re eligible for the new childcare support, you can check online.
You can apply from when your child is 23 weeks old. When your funded childcare can start depends on when your child turns 9 months old.
As a general guide, funding starts from the next term after your child becomes eligible. GOV.UK advises parents to apply before the relevant deadline so their code is ready in time. Once you receive your childcare code, you will need to share it with your chosen nursery.
Working families can apply for the new childcare funding by completing a simple online form on the gov.uk website. Before you get started, ensure you have the following information to hand:
If you are eligible and you’ve completed the form, you’ll be given an 11-digit code. You’ll need to provide this code to your childcare provider, like Stepping Stones, when applying for your child’s space. Your provider will also need your national insurance number and your child’s birth certificate.
At Stepping Stones, our purpose-built facility consists of well-equipped nursery rooms, playrooms and four outdoor spaces. We have been providing childcare for families for over two decades and our fully-trained team take a tailored approach to every child to ensure they learn and grow successfully.
If you’re ready to claim your 15 hours free childcare for 9 month olds, complete the above form today to begin the process of applying for your child’s funded space in September!
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for funded spaces in September 2024!
