The Government is urging families to apply before the January 1 deadline as it explained more than half a million parents may have saved £2,500 per child by Christmas
Too many mums and dads are still missing out on boosted childcare help, ministers have warned, as they push families to get their applications in before the year-end cut-off.
Over half a million parents could pocket £2,500 per child by Christmas thanks to the expanded funded childcare scheme, the Department for Education (DfE) revealed.
But shockingly, around two in five parents from ethnic minority communities had no clue about the extension of funded childcare to 30 hours weekly come September 2025, Ipsos polling showed.
Mums and dads from well-off areas were also far more clued up about the rollout (78%) compared to those from struggling neighbourhoods (65%).
Early education minister Olivia Bailey urged: “With thousands of pounds of support available over a full year, I’d encourage all parents to check what they’re entitled to, so they don’t miss out on help that can make Christmas, and the months beyond, that little bit easier.”
Families in the capital were the most clueless about September’s childcare support boost compared to parents elsewhere, with less than three in five (57%) knowing about the rollout.
Qualifying working parents have been able to get 30 hours weekly of funded childcare for tots over nine months old since September 1.
The DfE claimed at the time the expansion could slash parents’ bills by £7,500 annually per child. The Government is encouraging all parents to verify their eligibility and apply before 1 January to avail of funded childcare.
Parents whose children turned nine months old between the start of September and the end of the year have a deadline of 31 December to apply for the 30 hours.
Alice Barrett, a Nottingham-based mother to a three year old, stated that the expansion of childcare has saved her family over £700 a month.
“Being able to access an additional day at a school-based nursery before my three-year-old starts school next September has meant I can work more hours, while knowing he’s settled and learning in a familiar school environment,” she said.
“That saving has really helped at Christmas, allowing us to afford festive outings and experiences we might otherwise have had to cut back on.”
The sector has previously warned that some disadvantaged children are at risk of missing out if their parents do not work or do not earn enough to be eligible for government-funded childcare.
Apply for childcare here.
