The Department of Education said the expansion of the childcare scheme will save families up to £7,500 per year per child.
Applications open today (12 May) for the childcare expansion scheme, which follows the roll-out of 15 funded hours for children from nine months last September. Eligible families need to open a childcare account.
According to the Government, lower-income families are seeing the biggest impact from the expansion of the free childcare scheme, with one in five of those earning £20,000-40,000 having increased their working hours since the 15 free hours were brought in last year.
Bridget Phillipson, Education Secretary, said: “This Government has a clear Plan for Change to break the unfair link between background and opportunity across this country, which starts by ensuring our children start school ready to learn.
“Early years is my number one priority, and making sure families are able to benefit from this roll-out is a promise made and promise kept. But this is just the beginning.
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“Through the hard work of the sector, supported by our record investment, landmark school-based nursery roll-out and focus on vital early learning support, we will deliver an early years system that gives every child the best start in life.”
Justine Roberts, founder and CEO of Mumsnet, said: “We’ve heard from countless women on Mumsnet pushed out of work by unaffordable childcare.
“This expansion of support is a major step in tackling that – giving parents, especially mothers, the freedom to stay in work if they choose, which benefits families and the economy. We urge all eligible parents to check what they’re entitled to and make full use of it.”
The Government has also launched a consultation on how it can help nurseries make better use of outdoor space for play and learning.
Currently, the Government’s early years framework requires provision of outdoor play, but only formally recognises indoor space in its requirements for how many children nurseries and childcare providers can take on at any one time.
However, seven in 10 providers say they would make better use of their outdoor space if more flexibility was introduced.
