The government is urging parents to take immediate action to secure savings of up to £7,500 annually on childcare expenses. Working families will receive 30 hours of complimentary childcare coverage starting next month – however, applications must be submitted within the coming three days to access September support.
Qualifying parents have until August’s conclusion to register for the programme — encompassing children aged 9 months through to reception year — to obtain free assistance for the following month. This follows the scheme’s modification in May, enabling eligible families to now receive up to 30 hours of complimentary weekly childcare rather than the previous 15 hours.
Last September witnessed the Government distributing 15 hours of childcare provision, with 499,592 youngsters benefiting from the implementation, reported the Manchester Evening News.
Research conducted by the Government amongst parents who utilised childcare entitlements last September revealed that one-fifth of participating households earned between £20,000 – £40,000 and managed to extend their employment hours due to the 15-hour childcare allocation.
Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson remarked: “Giving every child the Best Start in Life is my number one priority, which is why we are delivering on our commitment to provide hundreds of thousands of children with 30 hours government-funded early education.
“Whether it’s to save up to £7,500 a year, support parents to get back to work or reduce the pressure on grandparents who so often have to step in, the benefits are widespread. The offer is just around the corner, and so I’m urging every eligible parent who wants it, to take it up.”
This follows as £600m is also being pumped in to extend the Holiday Activities and Food programme for another three years — which assists parents in making savings of over £300 annually.
The scheme supports youngsters from lower-income households by providing free meals and enriching activities during school breaks. It helps bridge the development divide, builds confidence and social skills, and has already reached over half a million children in the past year.
Andrew Forsey OBE, National Director of Feeding Britain, said: “Today’s news will be welcomed by hundreds of thousands of parents across England.
“The support provided to children from lower incomes through the Holiday Activities Fund HAF eases the pressure on family budgets during the school holidays, enhances their access to enriching and physical activities, and gives them a healthy meal each day during the school holidays.
“This delivers a raft of benefits for children and their families, so it is excellent news that the government is extending this provision for a further three years. Knowing that this support will continue to be available, for the next few years, will lift a weight off their shoulders.”
Work and Pensions Secretary, Liz Kendall, said: “Making sure that children have hungry minds, not hungry bellies, will help them to fulfil their potential in life, and that is what this Government is all about.
“Our historic expansion of free school meals to families on universal credit will lift 100,000 children out of poverty and tackle term-time hunger.
“That is alongside the £2.5 billion we are investing in the household support fund, and our commitment to funding the holiday activities and food programme, which will tackle holiday hunger too.”
The Best Start Holiday Activities and Food programme offers complimentary places for school-aged youngsters from reception to year 11 who receive benefits-related free school meals.