Date to apply for free childcare announced

Applications for 15 hours of free childcare a week for eligible working parents will open on 2 January 2024.

The childcare places will then be made available from April 2024.

Parents are being encouraged to register between mid-January and the end of February.

Who is eligible for the free childcare?

To qualify, you must:

• earn more than £8,670
• earn less than £100,000

If you’re in a couple, you must both earn at least £8,670 and neither one of you can earn more than £100,000.

More people into work

Education Secretary Gillian Keegan said:

“From April next year, eligible working parents of two year olds will be able to access 15 hours of government-funded childcare a week, making sure parents no longer have to choose between a career and a family, and doubling down on this government’s commitment to getting more people into work and growing the economy.”