Help Paying for Childcare

The Current Offer
All parents and carers of 3 and 4-year-olds are entitled to 15 hours a week childcare support with registered childcare providers. Eligible working parents and carers of children aged 3-4 can also get an additional 15 hours childcare support, bringing their total up to 30 hours a week. Some parents of 2-year-old children may also be entitled to 15 hours support.

The Upcoming Expansion
• Existing childcare support will be expanded in phases. Be~inning in April 2024 working parents of 2-year-olds will be able to access 15 hours childcare support, by September 2025 most working families with children under the age of 5 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 April 2024, working parents of 2-year-olds will be able to access up to 15 hours of childcare support a week. To receive this support, families will need to apply before 31 March 2024.
• From September 2024, up to 15 hours of childcare support will be extended to working parents of children from the age of 9 months to 3-year-olds.
• From September 2025, working parents of children under the _age of 5 will be entitled up to 30 hours of childcare a week.

Like the existing offer, depending on your childcare 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. You can use Tax-Free Childcare or Universal Credit for Childcare whilst claiming your 15 or 30 hours of childcare support.

For more information on the local Hounslow offer and to look for childcare in your area. Click Here