More parents in Cornwall have the opportunity to apply for free childcare, after a government-funded scheme's expansion.

This expansion aims to ensure parents do not need to choose between a career or raising a family, potentially impacting thousands across the country.

Previously, parents who work a minimum of 16 hours a week at the National Minimum Wage, earning less than £100,000 adjusted net income annually, were entitled to utilise up to 30 free childcare hours a week.

This was originally only applicable for children aged three to four.

However, following the expansion in place, eligible working parents will also receive 30 hours of free childcare for children starting at nine months old.

The rollout begins in stages from April 2024 onwards.

Falmouth Packet: This expansion aims to ensure parents do not need to choose between a career or raising a family

Regarding applying for the newly expanded benefits, the first stage of this rollout, applications opened on January 2, 2024.

Parents of eligible two-year-olds will be provided with 15 free childcare hours per week starting in April 2024.

Every three months, these parents will be asked to reconfirm their eligibility for the support.

Starting from September 2024, the 15 free childcare hours per week will extend to include children from nine months.

By September 2025, working parents of children below five years will be entitled to 30 free childcare hours each week.

Applications for these offers will become available within the near future, with further details available on the Childcare Choices website.

The specifications of the term ‘working’ parents are detailed to mean those who individually earn above £8,670 but less than £100,000 of adjusted net income per year.

For couples, both parents must earn within this bracket to be eligible.

Further clarification is available on the Childcare Choices website.

In efforts to ensure sufficient childcare places are available, over £400 million will be invested in the 2024-25 period to increase the hourly rates paid to local authorities.

During this period, the average hourly rates paid by the government will span from £5.88 for three and four-year-olds, £8.28 for two-year-olds, and £11.22 for under twos.

Lastly, start-up grants will also be offered for new or returning childminders who complete their registration after March 15, 2023, and for those returning childminders who register at least a year after a previous registration cancellation.

Grants will be distributed with a sum of £600 to those registered with Ofsted, and £1,200 to those registered with a childminder agency.