Free access to childcare expanded across the UK as minister visits Jaguar Land Rover

Parents and carers across the UK can now apply for more free childcare today. Applications for the next round of extended free childcare open today (May 12).

It starts in September and will for the first time include 15 hours of free childcare for children aged nine months to two years. Employment Minister Jo Churchill visited Jaguar Land Rover’s Bright Horizons nursery in Gaydon to raise awareness of the expansion of free childcare.

She has seen firsthand how child care providers and parents benefit from the changes. She also visited the factory’s occupational health function to see the support provided to staff.

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“The parents we met at the Jaguar Land Rover nursery this week, run by the Bright Horizons group, represent Britain at its best,” she said. “Dynamic, hardworking, innovative, with a desire to move on and move forward.

“Many parents have returned to work thanks to the childcare support this government is giving mums and dads across the country, like those I spoke to, who are designing the next generation of cars and looking after little ones.

“Excitingly, today marks the next step in our biggest ever childcare expansion, with parents of children from 9 months now able to apply for 15 hours of funded childcare per week from September.

“We’ve also made it even easier for parents on Universal Credit to get back into work by increasing the amount of support on offer by up to £1,000 a month for one child and £1,700 for two or more children. “

What is the free childcare extension and who can apply?

Parents of children from the age of 9 months can, from today (May 12), apply to access government-funded childcare from September this year. Eligible working parents of children who will be nine months old by 31 August can apply to access 15 hours of funded childcare per week.

It is the second step in the government’s long-term plan to support parents to balance family and career.

Parents are urged to check eligibility at childcarechoices.gov.uk

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