The government recently expanded the 30-hour free childcare scheme for working parents from when their child turns nine months old until they start school. Over 100,000 parents of two-year-olds have already registered their children on the system to benefit from the first stage of the rollout that entitles them to 15 hours of free childcare from April 2024.

To prepare for the new offer, the government have invested an extra £200 million in funding to the sector in September 2023 and promised over £400 million for 2024-25 to uplift hourly rates for the early year entitlements.

The government will also be trialling a new recruitment offer to increase the number of staff nurseries and early years providers need to offer more childcare places to parents. Recruits will receive a £1,000 bonus when they start their first role in childcare *subject to eligibility.