The Conservative MP for Buckingham Greg Smith has welcomed his government's recent expansion of subsidised childcare. 

Buckinghamshire is the most wonderful place to bring up a family. But childcare is a huge bill for all of us with young children.

Access to affordable and high-quality childcare empowers parents to make the choice that is best for them – whether that be returning to work or staying at home to raise their children.

So I am delighted that the Government has announced some important changes to financial support for childcare, arguably one of the biggest interventions to support parents ever, including:

  • From This April, working parents of two-year-olds can access 15 hours of free childcare.
  • From September 2024,15 hours of free childcare will be extended to working parents with a child from nine-months-old.
  • From September 2025, working parents of children aged nine-months-old up to school age will be entitled to 30 hours free childcare per week.
  • From April 2026, the Government will raise the threshold for the High-Income Child Benefit Charge from £50,000 to £60,000, as well as halving the rate at which the Child Benefit is withdrawn.

To check your eligibility for this support and how to access it, check out The Education Hub (https://educationhub.blog.gov.uk/category/childcare/). These capture all you need to know about the education system, including childcare.

Supporting childcare providers also plays an essential role in expanding the availability of childcare. That’s why the Government has increased the hourly rates paid to providers of free childcare, paying £204 million this year, increasing to £288 million by 2024-25, with further uplifts to follow each year.

The Government is also introducing childminders grants, which amounts to £600 for those registering with Ofsted and £1,200 for those registering with a childminder agency. If you are a childcare provider and want to find out more, check out the Childcare Choices Hub (https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/providers/guidance-and-resources/). This contains email templates, leaflets, posters and social media content to help you promote the 30 hours and tax-free childcare.

These changes represent a significant step forward in helping parents make the right decision for them and their family.