Eligible working parents in Buckinghamshire with children aged +9 months can apply for hours of funded childcare for use in a variety of settings, including nurseries, pre-schools and childminders.

If you are an eligible working parent, you can now apply for:

• 15 hours childcare if your child is aged 9 to 36 months

• 30 hours childcare for your three or four-year-old

You will need to apply by 31 August 2024 to use your hours from 1 September 2024. To do so, visitGOV.UK to get your code for a place in September and then share it with your childcare provider. To continue receiving the Government support, you will need to reconfirm your details every three months on your GOV.UK account.

This comes alongside other government childcare support, including Tax-Free Childcare and Universal Credit Childcare. You might be able to use more than one offer together to help with your childcare costs.

Childcare is also expanding for primary-school age children. From September, parents in England will start to see an expansion in the availability of childcare in their local area before and after school, that runs from 8am until 6pm or later, also known as ‘wraparound childcare’. If you are eligible for Tax-Free Childcare or Universal Credit Childcare, you can use the support to help pay for your wraparound childcare.

Joseph Baum, Buckinghamshire Council’s Deputy Cabinet Member for Education and Children’s Services, said:

“Childcare is the cornerstone of a thriving society and helps provide children with the best possible start in life.

“As we expand access to 15 and 30 hours of childcare for eligible working parents, we recognise the vital role it plays in supporting families and enabling parents to pursue their careers or education.

“Please visit ourBuckinghamshire Family Information Service to see what support you might be eligible for.”