Parents of nine-month-olds can apply for their funded place in May ahead of the September rollout, the Government has announced today as it launches a consultation into ways to recruit more childminders.
From 12 May, applications will open for parents of children from nine to 23 months eligible for the new funded entitlements.
The Department for Education (DfE) is encouraging parents to ‘act now’ to secure their funded place for September if they have a preferred provider, under the rollout of the second phase of the extended offer which see nine-month-olds eligible for 15 funded hours.
It says that places will be available for September in every area of the country, but a ‘significant minority’ of settings hold waiting lists over six months.
