With the new school term just around the corner, families are getting some welcome news: from next month, working parents will be able to save up to £7,500 a year thanks to the government
covering 30 hours of childcare a week.
That’s money back in parents’ pockets – money that can go toward family time, bills, or just easing the squeeze of the cost of living.
But there’s a catch: parents need to apply quickly. Ministers are urging families to get their applications in within the next three days so they don’t miss out on this offer, which kicks in from September.
The new childcare scheme is open for children as young as 9 months old through to reception age. The idea is not only to give families financial breathing room but also to give children the best possible start, helping them arrive at school ready to learn and thrive.
And it’s not just about term-time. The government is also putting £600 million into extending the Holiday Activities and Food programme for another three years. This initiative gives children from lower-income families access to free meals and fun, enriching activities during the holidays. Last year alone, it supported over half a million kids, boosting their confidence, social skills, and learning – while saving parents more than £300 a year.
Education Secretary, Bridget Phillipson, said:
“Giving every child the Best Start in Life is my number one priority, which is why we are delivering on our commitment to provide hundreds of thousands of children with 30 hours government-funded early education.
Whether it’s to save up to £7,500 a year, support parents to get back to work or reduce the pressure on grandparents who so often have to step in, the benefits are widespread.
The offer is just around the corner, and so I’m urging every eligible parent who wants it, to take it up”.
Andrew Forsey OBE, National Director of Feeding Britain said:
“Today’s news will be welcomed by hundreds of thousands of parents across England.
The support provided to children from lower incomes through the Holiday Activities Fund HAF eases the pressure on family budgets during the school holidays, enhances their access to enriching and physical activities, and gives them a healthy meal each day during the school holidays.
This delivers a raft of benefits for children and their families, so it is excellent news that the government is extending this provision for a further three years.
Knowing that this support will continue to be available, for the next few years, will lift a weight off their shoulders”.
Bly Twomey, 15 year old who attends Brighton’s Table Tennis Club, talks about her journey to the Paralympics:
“The first time I went to Holiday Activities and Food Club, I didn’t really want to participate but everyone was so nice and involved me from the start. I then started going to the club regularly and it wasn’t long before I got invited to join the British Para Table Tennis squad, which led me to the Paralympics last year!
I had only been playing three years so it felt like a dream come true. I wouldn’t have found the sport or the club without HAF. I love that children with disadvantages can have the opportunities like I have through this initiative. Brighton Table Tennis Club isn’t just a club, it’s a family and I am so pleased they found me and I found them”.
Work and Pensions Secretary, Liz Kendall, said:
“Making sure that children have hungry minds, not hungry bellies, will help them to fulfil their potential in life, and that is what this Government is all about.
Our historic expansion of free school meals to families on universal credit will lift 100,000 children out of poverty and tackle term-time hunger.
That is alongside the £2.5 billion we are investing in the household support fund, and our commitment to funding the holiday activities and food programme, which will tackle holiday hunger too”.
All in all, the changes are designed to lift some of the pressure from families and make sure children are set up for success both inside and outside the classroom. Photo by Sebastiandoe5, Wikimedia commons.