Parents in Northumberland are urged to apply for new childcare support coming soon.  
 

Many Northumberland families also need to access existing help towards childcare costs and can check their eligibility online to make sure they are receiving the support they are entitled to. 

From April, eligible working parents of two-year-olds can access up to 15 hours of childcare support. 

It's the first wave of the rollout of the Government's biggest ever expansion to 15 and 30 hours childcare support in England. 
 

By September 2025, most working families with children under the age of five will be entitled to 30 hours of childcare support. 
 

Councillor Guy Renner-Thompson, Cabinet Member with responsibility for Inspiring Young People, said: “This is the largest ever expansion of childcare in England and will be transformational for working families.  

"The quality of early years provision in Northumberland is excellent with 97% of early years providers rated Good or Outstanding, making sure children get the best start in life.  
 

“I would urge parents and carers to visit the Childcare Choices website to make sure they are accessing all the support they are entitled to.” 
 

The changes are being introduced gradually to make sure that providers can meet the needs of more families. This means that: 

• From April 2024, eligible working parents of two-year-olds will be able to access up to 15 hours of childcare support 
• From September 2024, 15 hours of childcare support will be extended to eligible working parents of children from the age of 9 months to 3-year-olds 
• From September 2025, eligible working parents of children aged nine months to under the age of 5 will be entitled to 30 hours of childcare a week 

It is recommended those eligible apply between mid-January and the end of February so that parents receive their eligibility code by 31 March 2024 which is the deadline if they want to access a place from April.