Expansion of Government-Funded Childcare in England: A Guide for Working Parents
The UK government has announced a major expansion of its government-funded childcare scheme in England, which is set to benefit half a million families nationwide. As reported by the Education Hub, from 12 May 2025, more eligible working parents will be able to apply for 30 hours of funded childcare, helping families with the cost of quality childcare.
According to the Education Hub, around half a million families have already secured funded places, with 93% of parents getting their first choice of provider, as reported in their Childcare Experiences Survey. The survey also found that many families are using this support to increase their working hours, particularly those on lower incomes. The childcare offer is not just about saving money; it also helps children build confidence, learn social skills, and prepare for school.
The Education Hub explains that there are two funded childcare schemes available: the 30-hour scheme for working parents and the 15-hour scheme for families on certain benefits. Parents working at least 16 hours a week may be eligible for 30 hours of funded childcare for their children aged at least nine months on or before 31 August. Places are funded from the term after the child turns nine months old until they start reception. If a parent is not eligible for 30 hours of funded childcare, their child may be eligible for 15 hours instead.
All parents of children aged three to four in England can access a universal offer of 15 hours of government-funded early education from the term after their child turns three, regardless of their income or working hours. Additionally, parents of two-year-olds can access 15 hours a week of funded early education and childcare if they receive additional forms of support, such as being on Universal Credit and earning less than £15,400 a year, or if their child has an Education, Health and Care Plan, or has been looked after by a local authority.
To be eligible for the funded childcare schemes, the childcare provider must be approved, which means informal providers such as grandparents do not count. The funding covers up to 15 or 30 hours of early education and childcare a week for 38 weeks a year. However, some providers may ask parents to pay for extra costs like meals, nappies, or trips.
The Education Hub advises that eligibility depends on several factors, including whether the parent is working, their income, their child’s age and circumstances, and their immigration status. Parents can find full details about eligibility requirements on the government’s website.
For working parents who want to apply for 30 hours of government-funded childcare, they can sign into their account on the government’s website. Parents can apply from when their child is 23 weeks old, and the hours will depend on the date their child turns nine months old. If parents want to get 30 hours from September 2025, they will need to apply by 31 August. They will need their Government Gateway user ID to log in.
If parents are already claiming 15 hours of funded childcare as a working parent, they can keep reconfirming as normal, and if they are still eligible, it will automatically be updated to 30 hours. However, they will need to confirm their details are up to date and give the code to their childcare provider once they have agreed on how to use their 30 hours entitlement.
For parents of children aged three or four, they can access the universal 15 hours of government-funded early education and childcare without making an application themselves. Their childcare provider will handle this automatically. Parents will simply need to show them a copy of their child’s birth certificate and sign a declaration form. For parents of two-year-olds who receive additional forms of support, they should contact their local council to apply for the 15-hour scheme.
In conclusion, the expansion of government-funded childcare in England is a significant development that will benefit many families nationwide. As reported by the Education Hub, working parents can apply for 30 hours of funded childcare, and families on certain benefits can access 15 hours of funded childcare. Parents can find more information on eligibility requirements and how to apply on the government’s website.
