From September, working families of children aged between nine months and two years will be able to claim 30 hours of funded childcare per week - up from the present 15 hours.
The expansion means eligible working families in Wolverhampton can now apply for 30 hours of funded childcare per week during term time from the term after their child turns nine months until they reach school age. The changes being rolled out by the Government are designed to support a child’s early education and help families better balance work and family life.
To qualify, each parent must earn at least the equivalent of 16 hours per week at national minimum or living wage and have an income of less than £100,000 per year. Applications must be made by 31 August 2025 to access funded childcare from September, with the window for applications now open.
Councillor Jacqui Coogan, the City of Wolverhampton Council’s Cabinet Member for Children, Young People and Education, said: “Every year hundreds of families in Wolverhampton benefit from funded childcare schemes at participating nurseries, schools and childminders around the city, and its great news that this is being extended to offer 30 hours of funded childcare per week to children from the term they turn nine-months right through until they reach school age.
“Accessing early education gives your child the chance to learn, play and make new friends and the opportunity to develop and master new skills. It supports them as they prepare for school by helping them to communicate, explore new experiences, be active and healthy – and of course, it also helps parents juggle careers and childcare.
"I would encourage eligible working parents who are not yet accessing funded childcare but would benefit from doing so to sign up at www.childcarechoices.gov.uk today." Apart from funded childcare for eligible working parents, people in receipt of certain benefits are also eligible for 15 hours of funded childcare for two-year-olds, known as Terrific for Twos in Wolverhampton.
Meanwhile, eligible working parents and carers with children aged 11 or under can get up to £2,000 per child each year towards their childcare costs, or up to £4,000 for children with a disability aged 16 or under, though the tax-free childcare scheme. To find out more, including how to apply, visit the Childcare Choices website.
