WORKING parents in Wirral are being urged to register for 15 hours of free childcare per week from April 2024. 

This week, it was announced that applications for the first wave of the rollout of the expansion of free childcare for working parents will open on January 2. 

From January, eligible working parents of two-year-olds will be able to register to access 15 hours of free childcare per week from April 2024. 

Moreton West & Saughall Massie Councillor Vida Wilson said: “There will be many families across Moreton, Saughall Massie and Wirral who could benefit from this new offer. Having access to local, good quality childcare is a priority and is a vital part of making sure parents can return to work.” 

As part of the investment, further increases to government funding rates for childcare are also being confirmed this week. In 2024-25, the Department for Education is investing more than £400 million to increase to local authority hourly rates, to ensure more places are available. 

National average hourly rates paid by the government will be £11.22 for under twos; £8.28 for two-year-olds, and £5.88 for three and four-year-olds from April.

Funding will also be available for new childminders who join the profession or who completed their registration on or after 15th March 2023, or those re-registering at least 12 months after the cancellation of a previous registration. There will be £600 available for those who choose to register with Ofsted and £1,200 for those who choose to register with a childminder agency. 

Education Secretary Gillian Keegan, said: “Our fantastic childcare offer is going to start supporting eligible families in less than six months’ time, and I want to make sure that parents and providers are prepared. 

“From April next year, eligible working parents of two-year-olds will be able to access 15 hours of government-funded childcare a week, making sure parents no longer have to choose between a career and a family, and doubling down on this government’s commitment to getting more people into work and growing the economy.  

“I know the delivery of this transformation is no easy task, which is why I am pushing ahead with increased funding rates across the country and up to £1,200 for new childminders, knocking down barriers to recruiting and retaining the talented staff that provide such wonderful care for our children.”