Empowering Working Parents: The Game-Changing 15-Hour Childcare for 2-Year-Olds

In a groundbreaking move to support working parents, the Government has unveiled a transformative initiative – 15-hour funded childcare for 2-year-olds. This innovative program starting in April 2024 is set to redefine the landscape of childcare, providing a lifeline for busy parents striving to balance career and family life.

The newly introduced 15-hour childcare service is a game-changer, offering a reliable solution for parents (both who need to be working 16 hours or more) seeking quality care for their toddlers. This initiative not only eases the financial burden on working families but also addresses the crucial need for early childhood education and socialization. The 15-hour funded childcare service goes beyond mere babysitting, focusing on fostering a nurturing environment that promotes cognitive, social, and emotional development in these crucial formative years.

For full details please visit: childcarechoices.gov.uk

Here, parents can explore options, access information, and seamlessly enroll their children in the program.

Places at each childcare setting, including Footsteps, are limited. If you would like to apply you will need to do so at your earliest convenience. Please complete your application online and provide us with the eligibility code you will receive in order to redeem your funded hours.

Please remember that this support will also be extended to children from 9 months from September 2024 so settings will be busy and the funded hours cannot be guaranteed.

Non-working Parents who receive additional support will still claim their entitled hours through their county council.

Footsteps is committed to aiming to retain our 1:4 ratio of staff to children which is below the required number of 1:5 in order to continue to provide our high quality care.

If you have any further questions please don’t hesitate to contact the Manager at your setting.