Government funded childcare
As of April 2024, eligible working parents of two-year-olds can access 15 hours of childcare support. By September 2025, most working families with children between nine months and five years old will be entitled to 30 hours of childcare support.
The changes are being introduced gradually to ensure that providers can meet the needs of more families. This means:
- From September 2024, 15 hours of childcare support will be extended to eligible working parents of children from nine months to three years old.
- From September 2025, eligible working parents of children from nine months to school age will be entitled to 30 hours of childcare a week.
|
Age nine months to two years |
Age two to three years |
Age three to four years |
|||
|
Working families |
Families receiving government support |
All parents |
|||
|
15 hours |
Now |
15 hours |
Now |
15 hours |
Now |
|
30 hours |
September 2025 |
Working families |
Working families |
||
|
15 hours |
Now |
30 hours |
Now |
||
|
30 hours |
September 2025 |
||||
Like the existing offer, depending on your provider, these hours can be used over 38 weeks of the year (during school term time), or up to 52 weeks, if you use fewer than your total hours per week.
For further details, please visit the Childcare Choices website.
For information on the childcare funding offer in Cambridgeshire, please visit the Cambridgeshire Families Information Service website.
Families Information Service (FIS)
The FIS provide information, advice and guidance to families across Cambridgeshire. They manage the Cambridgeshire online childcare directory and offer one-to-one support for families with children and young people aged from birth to 25. Advice is free, confidential and impartial.
FIS can help with:
- Finding childcare
- Understanding childcare funding options
- Childcare for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) and the Cambridgeshire Online | SEND Information Hub (Local Offer).
Email: fis@cambridgeshire.gov.uk
Telephone: 0345 045 1360
For childcare updates and support, follow the FIS on Facebook.
50 Things to Do Before You're Five
50 Things to Do Before You're Five is a free mobile app that gives parents and carers 50 fantastic experiences to share with their children to help develop their confidence, language and vocabulary and to support them in being ready for the next stage in their education.
Cambridgeshire Child and Family Centres
Child and Family Centres offer groups, events, activities, courses and support for families with children aged from birth to 19 years old.
Health services
NHS Children's Health information from Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Children and Young People's Health Services.
