The government has issued a fresh and urgent plea to parents across the United Kingdom, urging them to apply for expanded funded childcare before a critical year-end deadline. Officials are concerned that a significant number of eligible families are yet to claim the vital support, which could save them thousands of pounds per child.
Thousands in Support at Risk of Being Missed
According to the Department for Education (DfE), more than half a million parents could have saved an estimated £2,500 per child by Christmas by accessing the expanded scheme. The department has previously stated that the full expansion could save working parents up to £7,500 annually for each eligible child.
Since September 1, eligible working parents in England have been able to access 30 hours a week of funded childcare for children over nine months old. The government is now pressing all parents to check their eligibility and submit applications by January 1. A specific deadline of December 31 applies to parents whose children turned nine months old between the start of September and the end of the year.
Stark Awareness Gaps Revealed in New Research
Despite the potential savings, a recent Ipsos poll has uncovered worrying disparities in public awareness of the scheme. The research highlighted that knowledge of the rollout to 30 hours by September 2025 is not evenly spread.
Around two in five parents from ethnic minority backgrounds were reportedly unaware of the expansion. The data also showed a clear socio-economic divide: 78% of parents from less deprived backgrounds knew about the changes, compared to only 65% of those from the most deprived areas.
Regionally, London families showed the lowest awareness, with fewer than three in five (57%) understanding the new entitlements.
Minister's Call and Real-Life Impact
Early Education Minister Olivia Bailey made a direct appeal to families: "With thousands of pounds of support available over a full year, I’d encourage all parents to check what they’re entitled to, so they don’t miss out on help that can make Christmas, and the months beyond, that little bit easier."
The real-world benefit of the scheme is clear from testimonies like that of Alice Barrett, a mother from Nottingham. She explained how the expansion has saved her family over £700 a month. "Being able to access an additional day at a school-based nursery before my three-year-old starts school next September has meant I can work more hours, while knowing he’s settled and learning in a familiar school environment," she said. "That saving has really helped at Christmas, allowing us to afford festive outings and experiences we might otherwise have had to cut back on."
However, the childcare sector has repeatedly warned of a critical flaw in the policy: some of the most disadvantaged children risk being excluded if their parents do not work or do not earn enough to qualify for the government-funded scheme. This underscores the challenge of ensuring support reaches all families in need, not just those who are aware and eligible.
