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Applications for 30-hours ‘free childcare’ open to four-year-olds

By Rachel Lawler
 
The government has announced that working parents of children aged four-years-old can now apply for 30-hours of funded childcare to use from September onwards.
 
The offer gives eligible families an additional 15 hours of funded childcare on top of the existing 15 hours offer, which is currently available to all families in England. Parents of children aged three have already been able to apply to access the offer online.
Childcare choices

30-hours and tax-free childcare
Parents with a child born on or before 1 April 2013 can now apply for the 30-hours offer online, as well as tax-free childcare. By the end of the year, all eligible parents will be able to access the offer. Both tax-free childcare and the 30-hours can be accessed online using the government’s .
 
The government claims that more than 150,000 parents have used the Childcare Services website since its launch earlier this year.
 
However, since the Childcare Services website launched in April, parents and providers have when using the site. Problems have included applicants wrongly told they are unable to apply, issues logging in and delays when making payments.
 
Parents who are experiencing problems accessing the website are encouraged to contact HMRC on 0300 123 4097.
 
More information

For more information on the 30-hours offer read our online guides for and .