Analysis

Briefing: ‘free’ childcare expansion enters next phase

3 mins read Early Years
Funded hours for nine-month-olds to be available from September despite warnings over capacity.
Concerns have been raised over a lack of staff to support the childcare expansion. Picture: OKSANA KUZMINA/ADOBE STOCK

Funded childcare hours will open up to eligible families of nine-month-olds this month (September) as the government’s expansion of the scheme reaches the next phase of its roll-out.

Working parents, who have returned to work after maternity or paternity leave by 30 September, are entitled to as many as 15 hours of funded childcare per week for children aged nine months to three years as of 31 August.

The expansion, first announced in the 2023 spending review under Rishi Sunak’s Conservative government, saw 15 hours of funded childcare offered to eligible families of two-year-olds in April.

The policy aims to offer all eligible working families up to 30 hours of funded childcare for children aged nine months to five years from September 2025.

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