Supporting Families is one of Michael's key priorities, and childcare is an issue affecting thousands of people across Mid Dorset and North Poole.
Working parents of children aged between 9 months and 23 months (as of 1st September) can apply for the first 15 hours of funded childcare from the Government - from now until 31st August.
This is stage 2 of our 3-stage expansion of childcare, the biggest investment ever made in this country into childcare.
As of 1st April, parents were able to get the first 15 hours of childcare for their 2 year olds - and more than 210,000 are now benefitting from this.
From 1st September, parents will be able to get the first 15 hours for their 9 month olds.
To make things easier, we've changed the '31 day rule' that meant if you were on parental leave or starting a new job you had to wait until 31 days before 1st September - parents in these situations can apply from today like everyone else.
When stage 3 is delivered in September 2025, parents will be able to claim 30 hrs a week from when their children are 9 months old until they start school - saving families on average £6,900 every year on their childcare costs.
Visit www.childcarechoices.gov.uk now to see what you are entitled to.
Michael said
We have some brilliant childcare providers here in Mid Dorset and North Poole like Bizzybeez Childcare and Tops Day Nurseries. I'm delighted that more families will be able to get help with their childcare costs.
