The UK government is currently rolling out the largest expansion of childcare funding in history. For families in Woking and Surrey, these changes mean more support at an earlier age, but the timeline and application process can be confusing.
April 2024: The First Major Milestone
As of April 2024, eligible working parents of two-year-olds can now access 15 hours of funded childcare per week. This is a significant shift from the previous system, which primarily focused on three and four-year-olds or families receiving specific benefits.
September 2024: Support for Babies
The next phase begins in September 2024. At this point, the 15-hour entitlement will extend to working parents of children from the age of nine months. While Magical Moments Preschool specialises in children aged two to five, this change impacts how many families plan their return to work.
September 2025: The 30-Hour Goal
The final stage of the rollout is set for September 2025. The plan is for eligible working parents of all children under five to be entitled to 30 hours of funded childcare per week during term time.
This will bring the support for younger children in line with what is currently available for three and four-year-olds.
Key Eligibility Criteria
To access the "working parent entitlement," you generally need to meet the following requirements:
- Each parent must earn at least £167 per week (equivalent to 16 hours at National Minimum Wage)
- Neither parent can earn more than £100,000 per year
- You must live in England
Important Deadlines for Woking Parents
You must apply for your code in the term *before* your child becomes eligible. Surrey County Council and the HMRC require codes to be in place before the start of the new term.
Application Timeline
- For a September start: Apply by 31st August
- For a January start: Apply by 31st December
- For an April start: Apply by 31st March
We strongly recommend applying early, as the HMRC system can experience high traffic near these deadlines. Once you have your code, you must reconfirm your eligibility every three months.
How We Can Help
At Magical Moments Preschool, we stay up to date with all Surrey County Council funding regulations. If you are unsure about your eligibility or how to use your hours at our setting, please get in touch. The team are happy to guide you through the paperwork.
Information is based on current government announcements and is subject to change. Always check the Childcare Choices website for the most recent official updates.