Parents Can Earn £774 a Month by Working 15 Hours a Week—Thanks to Free Childcare
If you’re juggling a little one and a job, the government’s new free childcare deal could be your ticket to a monthly paycheck that doesn’t feel like a steal. According to Indeed Flex, the online marketplace for flexible gigs, you can make up to £774 a month by actually working two short shifts a week while your kids nap in nursery—no cash out on nursery fees.
What’s the Deal?
- Who qualifies? Parents of 2‑year‑olds now get 15 free hours per week starting 1st April 2024.
- Free childcare cost? The average UK rate is about £5.55 per hour, so you save roughly £83.25 a week.
- Work side‑by‑side. The gig platform offers shifts from 4.5 to 7.5 hours a day that pay an average of £12.90 an hour. Two shifts a week = £193.50 wages, meaning over a month you pocket £774 net.
- Cutting ‘cost of childcare’ out of the equation also boosts your chance to keep your career in gear.
Almost one in two mums in the UK say they can’t get back to work because childcare costs suck the life out of them—37% admit the money barrier. A quarter (25%) identify temporary work as the only option that fits around their parenting rhythms.
Why It Works
That 15‑hour free window is a perfect launchpad for parents to pick quick, well‑paid gigs. Think of it as a “pick‑and‑mix” recipe: schedule a 4.5‑hour shift before the school run, another after nursery dismissal, and you’re back at your bank balance faster than a toddler can say “playground.”
Future Expansion
- From September 2024 you’ll get 15 free hours for kids as young as nine months.
- In September 2025 the offer will jump to 30 hours per week for all kids under five.
According to CEO Novo Constare of Indeed Flex: “Parents are often stuck between a high money drain from childcare and a stalled career. By freeing up a chunk of time for free drop‑off, the government gives them a chance to prove that ‘work, play, repeat’ is doable. Even the short gigs—4.5‑hour blocks—blend seamlessly into school runs or after‑nursery pick‑ups, making the switch to temp work a breeze.”
Companies are noticing the vibe—they’re creating flexible schedules that actually match the daily chaos of parents. That means less “app‑search” time and more real gig‑matching for you.
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