Today, the Department for Education has announced the latest
figures for uptake of the childcare rollout since its launch on 1
April.
The MI data release
reveals that 211,027 two-year-olds are now benefitting
from a government-funded childcare place, with the same
number of codes now validated by providers.
This is just the first step in the largest ever expansion of
government-funded childcare in England, with eligible working
parents of two-year-olds now accessing 15 hours of
government-funded childcare a week.
On Sunday (12th May), applications will open
for the second phase of the rollout - when the offer
extends to eligible working parents of children from 9 months
old.
By September 2025, support will increase to 30 hours a week,
saving families an average of £6,900 per year.
Children and Families Minister said:
“Every hard-working parent deserves affordable access to
high-quality childcare, and that's exactly what this government
is delivering.
“As today's figures show, 211,027 two-year-olds are already
benefitting from the first stage of our huge expansion of
childcare – giving parents a helping hand in their working lives,
safe in the knowledge their children are well looked after by our
brilliant early years workforce.
“With applications for working parents of children from 9 months
old opening at the weekend, I'd urge all parents to check their
eligibility for what's on offer via our Childcare Choices
website.”
