The childcare entitlement, which makes free childcare available to working families, was doubled last September and has since provided much-needed support to parents and carers by making it easier to work and achieve a greater quality of life.
To be eligible, both parents must be working (or the sole parent if in a lone parent family).
Each parent must have a weekly minimum income equivalent to 16 hours at national minimum wage, and an income of less than £100,000 per year.
The entitlement will be available during term time, which equates to 38 weeks per year.
Councillor Jan Brunton Dobson, Middlesbrough Council’s Executive Member for Education and Skills, said: “We’ve already seen numerous families in Middlesbrough benefit from the 30 hour childcare scheme.
“The cost of childcare can place a major burden on young working families, not to mention wider family networks who may be called upon to assist if professional childcare cannot be afforded.
“I would encourage any who are eligible to take advantage of this opportunity and apply.”
Professional childcare settings can provide many benefits to young children, such as regular interaction with other children, mental stimulation through games and activities, and a smoother transition to school.
- Applications need to be approved by the beginning of the term to be eligible.
Families who are approved later than this date will need to wait until the following term to receive the entitlement.
To apply, visit www.childcarechoices.gov.uk
