PARENTS living in Tameside are being encouraged to check if they are eligible for free childcare which is being extended as part of a government scheme.
Eligible working parents with a two-year-old child will have access to free childcare being introduced by the government from April. This will be expanded later in the year for children from nine-months-old.
For the initial rollout in April, if both parents or a lone parent earn at least £167 per week on average, they will be able to claim 15 hours of free childcare over 38 weeks of the year – from the term after their child’s second birthday.
Parents must apply and be issued with a valid eligibility code, and their child must have reached their second birthday on or before March 31, 2024.
The offer from the government will be extended to eligible working parents with a child from nine-months-old from September this year. Again, parents must apply and receive a valid eligibility code, and their child must have reached nine-months-old on or before August 31, 2024.
Councillor Bill Fairfoull, Tameside Council’s Deputy Leader, said: “Affordable childcare has long been a barrier for many parents in Tameside so I hope this scheme will alleviate difficulties families have faced.
“I’m pleased to know that further help will be coming over the next year, so that more children are included in the Working Parent Entitlement to help with the cost of living for local parents.”
Parents can check eligibility for free childcare and apply at www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/ and more information is available from the Family Information Service on 0161 342 4260.