Hounslow Council urges working parents to apply for the Government's new, free childcare support.

To support with the rising costs of childcare and encourage more parents to return to work or increase their working hours, the Government is expanding its existing childcare support system.

The first phase of the expansion is starting in April 2024 when working parents with children aged two years will be able to access free childcare support of up to 15 hours a week.

To be eligible, the parent of the child (and their partner where applicable) must be working and earning a salary equivalent to 16 hours a week at the national minimum or living wage and under £100,000 adjusted net income per year.

Hounslow Council is urging parents to check their eligibility for the new childcare support through the Government's Childcare Choices website.

If eligible, they will be provided with an eligibility code which they will need to give to their chosen childcare provider. The deadline for parents to apply for an eligibility code for their two-year-old child to start their 15-hour place between 1 April and 30 August is by 31 March 2024.

How many hours of funded childcare can you get per week (credit: Hounslow Council).

Councillor Lily Bath, Cabinet Member for Education, Children, Skills and Employment, said: "I welcome the Government's effort in investing in childcare support for working parents.

"The Council is reliant on private childcare providers who account for the majority of funded childcare places in Hounslow. However, the rising cost of living including the cost of recruitment, has put considerable pressure on all early years providers.

"Providers are clear that the rates they are paid for the funded places they offer do not cover costs of delivery.

"The early years of a child's life have a great impact on their future wellbeing. I strongly urge the Government to provide sustainable support for local authorities to meet the needs of our childcare providers.

"It is important that every child, regardless of their family background or personal circumstances, can benefit and thrive."

From September 2024, 15 hours childcare support will be further extended, this time to eligible working parents of children from the age of nine months to three years old.

Then, from September 2025, eligible working parents of children under the age of five years will be entitled to 30 hours of childcare a week.

The expansion is to be done in phases by the Government to ensure childcare providers will be able to meet the needs of more families but, by September 2025, most working families with children under the age of five years will be entitled to 30 hours of childcare support.

To find out more about childcare options in Hounslow, contact Hounslow's Family Information Services via email [email protected] or call 020 8583 3470.

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