The Government is extending free childcare eligibility to hundreds of thousands of parents across the country as part of a major expansion.
It was announced in the Spring Budget last March, with a new three-phase approach being rolled out.
From May 12, 15 hours of free childcare will be available to eligible working parents of children aged between nine months and three years.
Previously only eligible parents of children aged between three and four-years-old could claim the free childcare in England.
You can check if you are eligible here.
Separate schemes operate in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
Child Benefit support for parents
There are other forms of support available to parents struggling with the cost of living crisis, including child benefits.
You normally qualify for Child Benefit if you’re responsible for a child under 16 and you live in the UK.
You can still qualify for Child Benefit if your child is under 20 and they stay in approved education or training.
Full eligibility can be found here.
Amy Knight,…
