Childcare Choices

Apply now for your childcare code to start in January 

The government is committed to giving every child - no matter their background - the opportunity of a brilliant early education.

From 1 September, over 300,000 eligible parents in England started accessing 15 hours childcare for 9 month olds as part of the second phase of the childcare support expansion.

Now imagine what the support could do for YOUR family - whether it is about helping you juggle family life, returning to work, or saving more money.

 If you are an eligible working parent in England, you can apply for your childcare code online on your childcare account on gov.uk for:

• 15 hours childcare per week for your child aged between 9 months old until they turn 3, over 38 weeks of the year.
•  30 hours childcare per week for your 3 or 4 year old, over 38 weeks of the year

The deadline to apply for a code is 31 December to use from 1 January.

For a step-by-step guide on how to apply for your code, read our Education Hub blog or watch the video on the link below with Early Years Educator, Steff, explaining the application process.

How to get help with the cost of childcare: government-funded support in England

15 hours childcare for 2-year-olds - if you claim certain benefits

And did you know families getting some form of additional government support such as some parents on Universal Credit, or if your child has an Education, Health and Care plan, can also get 15 hours childcare for their 2-year-old?

If you’re eligible for both the working entitlement and the 15 hours for families receiving support, you can’t take up both offers and should apply for the 15 hours for families receiving support.

To find out more and get the support, you should contact your local authority.

Everything you need to know about nurseries in schools

Parents need quality, affordable childcare in their local area, to help them juggle family life and boost life chances for children.

Primary schools across England can now apply for the first phase of the funding to open new nurseries or expand existing ones.

Sarah Walker, a Reception Teacher at Carlton Mills Primary School, says:

 ‘As a nursery provider in a disadvantaged area, we witness the transformative impact of early years education every day. At Carlton Mills Primary School, our hands-on approach is tailored to our children’s developmental needs, ensuring they are ready for school.’

 'The new funding to upgrade spare spaces in primary schools to create more nurseries is fantastic news. It will help provide high-quality childcare to more families, giving every child the opportunity to thrive. We see first hand how childcare helps parents juggle the beautiful chaos of family life. More nurseries mean easier access to childcare.’

5 things you should know about childcare support for working parents

1. If your child turns the relevant age between 1 September to 31 December, you can apply now to claim your hours from 1 January.
2. You can use your hours alongside other childcare support such as Tax-Free Childcare or Universal Credit Childcare. To learn more about using different financial offers together, visit Combining schemes| Childcare Choices.
3. To continue getting your childcare hours you need to confirm your details are up to date every 3 months on your gov.uk childcare account. You will get a reminder when you need to do this.
4. If you already use 15 hours for your 2 year old and they then turn 3, you can reconfirm as normal, and the code will be valid for the 30 hours offer.
5. If you’re on parental leave and you plan to return to work by the end of January 2025  – or you’re starting a new job – you can also now apply for your childcare code. For more about this, visit Childcare entitlements frequently asked questions for parents | Childcare Choices 

Remember, it’s always a good idea to speak to your provider about their arrangements, including:

• Any additional charges on top of the childcare hours, including any alternative options they offer. Your childcare hours don’t cover additional hours, activities, or extra costs such as meals.
• When you can use your childcare hours.
• Whether they allow you to stretch your hours over more than 38 weeks, so you use fewer hours per week, or use your hours flexibly with other providers.

Did you know wraparound childcare is now expanding?

From September, more places in wraparound childcare have been made available across England, with more to come in the coming months.  

Wraparound childcare is before and after school childcare for primary school aged children in England. This runs term-time, typically between 8am until 6pm.

 If you are eligible, you will be able to use Tax-Free Childcare or Universal Credit Childcare to help pay for your wraparound place.

Learn more about wraparound childcare.