Childcare support expansion offer
Early Years childcare
15 and 30 hours childcare
The current offer
Eligible working parents and carers of children aged 3 - 4 can get an additional 15 hours of childcare support, bringing the total support they can get up to 30 hours a week. Eligible working parents of 2-year-olds can also access 15 hours of childcare support.
Some parents of 2-year-old children may also be entitled to 15 hours childcare support, if they receive some additional forms of government support. Please note, if you’re eligible for both the working entitlement and the 15 hours for families receiving support, you cannot take up both offers, and should apply for the 15 hours for families receiving support.
Your hours can be used per week for 38 weeks of the year (during school term time). You may be able use your hours for up to 52 weeks if you use fewer than your total hours per week. Check with your childcare provider to find out if this is something they offer.
You can use Tax-Free Childcare or Universal Credit Childcare whilst claiming your 15 or 30 hours of childcare support.
The expanded offer
From April 2024, eligible working parents of 2-year-olds can access 15 hours childcare support. By September 2025, most working families with children aged between 9 months and 5 years old will be entitled to 30 hours of childcare support.
The changes are being introduced gradually to make sure that providers can meet the needs of more families. This means that:
From September 2024
15 hours childcare support will be extended to eligible working parents of children from the age of 9 months to 3-year-olds.
From September 2025
Eligible working parents of children from 9 months to school age will be entitled to 30 hours of childcare a week.
Like the existing offer, depending on your provider, these hours can be used over 38 weeks of the year (during school term time), or up to 52 weeks if you use fewer than your total hours per week.
Wraparound childcare
We're expanding wraparound care for parents of primary school children under the Childcare Reforms programme. Starting September 2024, there will be more wraparound childcare options.
By September 2026, all parents in England with primary school children should have access to wraparound childcare from 8am before school starts until 6pm after school ends, Monday to Friday during term time. This can be provided by your child’s school or another local provider, either on or off the school site. Your child's school can provide details on current availability.
How do I access wraparound childcare?
Talk to your child’s school to see what wraparound childcare they have right now.
If they don’t offer wraparound childcare, you can ask them to consider setting this up. To do this, write a letter or email to the school.
How do I pay for wraparound childcare?
Providers will set their own fees for wraparound care, so costs may be different. You will pay the provider directly for your child's place.
Many parents can get financial help. If you qualify, you might use Tax-Free Childcare or Universal Credit Childcare to help with the costs. Use the childcare eligibility checker to see what support you can get.