The Spring 2023 budget introduced a series of phased national changes to the early years sector, aimed at supporting parents returning to work by providing greater access to affordable childcare. The most significant change is the phased expansion of early years entitlements for working families, starting in April 2024.

Working parents entitlement expansion

In addition to existing entitlements, once fully rolled out eligible families will also be able to access the following funded entitlements: 

• Working parents two-year-olds to the equivalent of 15 hours a week for 38 weeks (introduced April 2024)
• Working parents 9-month-olds to three-year-olds the equivalent of 15 hours a week for 38 weeks (introduced September 2024)
• Working parents 9-month-olds to school age the equivalent of 30 hours a week for 38 weeks (to be introduced September 2025)