New childcare rules for parents who earn less than £100,000 from this weekend

A one-week warning has been issued to hundreds of thousands of parents ahead of a major change to childcare rules. Mums and dads have just one week to go before applications open for extra childcare help as part of a major expansion.

From this September, eligible working parents of nine-month-olds will be able to claim 15 hours of free childcare a week - but applications for these places open on May 12. To apply, parents must earn a minimum of the equivalent of 16 hours a week at minimum wage, but less than £100,000 a year.

From 12 May, eligible working parents will be able to apply for 15 hours of government-funded childcare for children who are aged between 9-months and 23-months-old. The rollout of support is part of our plan to help families – freeing thousands of parents from having to choose between having a family and a career.

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The free childcare rules were recently expanded so eligible working parents of two-year-olds can start claiming 15 hours a week free, All parents of three and four-year-olds can claim 15 hours a week free childcare as standard, while some working parents of children of these ages are entitled to 30 hours a week, so an additional 15 hours, depending on their earnings.

Working parents of children from the age of nine-month-olds will be able to access the full 30 hours a week from September 2025, providing they are eligible. Free childcare hours are usually taken over 38 weeks (to cover term time) but you can normally spread it out to cover more weeks by using fewer hours a week.

The free hours must be used with a registered childcare minder, such as some private nurseries or state-run pre-schools. There are separate free childcare systems in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. From 12 May, eligible working parents whose children will be aged between 9- and 23-months old on 31 August can also apply to receive 15 hours childcare starting from September 2024.

When you apply, you’ll receive a code to give to your childcare provider.