We know that the cost of childcare is a big consideration when it comes to families’ schedules and budgets. As childcare is the responsibility of the individual governments in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, the offer will vary for military families moving around the UK. Here is an overview of each of the funded childcare options:
ENGLAND
Nine months to school age – working parents’ entitlement
From September 2024 some working families can claim 15 hours of funded childcare for children aged nine months and upwards for up to 38 weeks of the year. As children get older, you may also be able to combine this with the ‘universal entitlement’ offer below.
Three- and four-year-old universal entitlement
All families can claim 15 hours’ free childcare for 38 weeks of the year regardless of employment status. Some providers will allow you to stretch the hours over 52 weeks, using fewer hours a week.
If both partners (if applicable) are also in paid employment, they may be able to combine these hours with the ‘working parents’ entitlement’, taking the funded hours to 30.
Two-year-olds
If families are in receipt of certain benefits or their child has special educational needs or a disability, they may be able to claim 15 hours for two-year-olds for 38 weeks.
For more information on all of these check out childcarechoices.gov.uk
NORTHERN IRELAND
All children are entitled to a funded pre-school place during the academic year before they start school (typically aged three and up). This will be for at least 2.5 hours a day (12.5 hours a week).
It has been announced that funded provision will be expanding to 22.5 hours a week in the near future.
SCOTLAND
1,140 hours a year (30 hours a week if taken in term time) is available for three- and four-year-old children – not dependent on a parent’s working status. Eligible two-year-olds are also able to get funded hours of childcare. See mygov.scot for more information
WALES
If both partners (if applicable) are in paid employment or enrolled onto a recognised further or higher education course, they may be eligible for up to 30 hours of funded childcare over 48 weeks of the year.
The funding offer is split between early education hours and childcare hours. Wales is currently expanding its offer for two-year-olds under its Flying Start programme. This varies by location, see gov.wales
If you are unsure what you are eligible for, go to childcarechoices.gov.uk
Wraparound Childcare
School-aged service children living in the UK and from working families may be able to access 20 hours a week of funding for before- and after-school care. This is available to support service families during term time. See discovermybenefits.mod.gov.uk
Contact educationsupport@aff.org.uk if you have any issues finding out what funding/hours are available where you are.