Upcoming changes to childcare support

Financial support for parents to help with the cost of childcare is increasing. This will make it easier for parents to move into or take on more paid work.

Starting from April 2024, existing childcare support will be expanded in phases.  By September 2025, most working families with children under the age of 5 will be entitled to 30 hours of childcare support.

Eligible working parents of 2-year olds can now apply for 15 hours funded childcare. The deadline for applications for an April start is 31 March. Make sure you apply in plenty of time. 

Visit the childcare choices website to check what offer you might be eligible for and apply. 

The upcoming expansion 

The offers are based on childcare for 38 weeks of the year, term time only. Some providers will allow you to “stretch” the hours over more weeks, using fewer hours per week.

April 2024

Eligible working parents of 2-year-olds will be able to access 15 hours childcare support. 

September 2024

Fifteen hours childcare support will be extended to eligible working parents of children from the age of 9 months. 

September 2025

Eligible working parents of children from the age of 9 months to starting school age will be entitled to 30 hours of childcare a week.

More information 

For more information about the expanded childcare offer and help with finding and funding childcare, contact the Family Information Service by:

• email: fis@bracknell-forest.gov.uk 
• phone: 01344 353133