1. Starting September 2017, the 30 hours childcare will commence in Buckinghamshire. The government will increase free childcare to 30 hours a week nationally. On the other hand, Dorset has been invited by the Department for Education (DfE) to implement the 30 hours free childcare offer early from 1 April 2017. The extra funding will be used to support working parents to manage the cost of childcare, support parents into work and enable parents to increase their working hours. Although this implementation is not compulsory for providers, the government id hoping that there will be a good proportion of providers will take part and get the chance to offer these additional hours to parents. This is also in preparation to develop their business model and for the statutory entitlement for parents.

2. Parents are allowed to apply for tax-free childcare

With the new rule, Dorset parents who are eligible for 30 hours free childcare starting from April 2017 will also be the first one to apply for the Tax-Free Childcare. These Tax-Free Childcare can be used to pay for pre-schools and day nurseries, pay for registered childminders and pay for school-based care. That is why in order for providers to receive payment, providers should be able to sign up.

3. Situations where the 30 hours free childcare can be offered

This early implementation will be open to any provider in the Dorsey County Council in the Dorset County Council. This is to deliver the Early Education Funding who wishes to offer their parents the opportunity to benefit from the increased free childcare offer. With this funding, parents will be able to access funding through childminders, day nurseries and pre-schools which include those run by a school and out of school providers.

4. Advice for parents

With the benefits presented above, parents are really encouraged to check their eligibility whether they are allowed for this rule, express an interest in the said rule and Tax-Free Childcare.

5. What’s changing?

What’s new in this rule is that all 3 and 4-year-olds are now entitled to 15 hours of free childcare a week. These changes extend the current 15 hours to 30 hours per week for working families. This is to further help parents who are working for a living.

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