Applications to the Central Childcare Bursary Scheme (for EU and overseas students) and the Childcare Support Fund (for home students) for the new academic year can't be made until the new academic year begins. The 2023-2024 Application Forms will be available from the beginning of October 2023. These schemes are for eligible students paying for OFSTED-registered childcare costs.
Working parents in England will be able to access 30 hours of free childcare per week, for 38 weeks of the year, from when their child is 9 months old to when they start school.
This will be rolled out in stages:
- From April 2024, all working parents of 2-year-olds can access 15 hours per week
- From September 2024, all working parents of children aged 9 months up to 3 years old can access 15 hours per week
- From September 2025 all working parents of children aged 9 months up to 3 years old can access 30 hours free childcare per week
Where parents need childcare for more than 38 weeks a year, they are able to spread their free hours entitlement over a higher number of weeks.
Source: Spring Budget 2023 Factsheet
