£100 Million Investment for Nursery Places
Education Secretary Gillian Keegan has announced a £100 million funding for councils to increase nursery places, as part of an £8 billion childcare package. This investment comes ahead of the expansion of free childcare support.
An End to the Dilemma
In an exclusive interview with The Sun, Keegan emphasized that parents should not have to choose between having a career or a family. She acknowledged the sacrifices many women have had to make and stated that it is crucial to provide the necessary support.
Online Tool for Support
As part of the package, an online tool will be launched to help parents access the available support. This tool aims to make it easier for hard-pressed parents to navigate the system and find the assistance they need.
Expansion of Free Care
The Spring Budget announced plans to offer 30 hours of free care per week to children aged nine months to three years by September 2025. Additionally, the package includes the provision of 15 hours of free childcare for two-year-olds from April 2024, extending to nine-month-olds by the following September.
Addressing Concerns
Keegan brushed off concerns about a potential shortage of childminders to meet the increased demand. She stated that the program is already progressing rapidly and assured parents that the rollout will continue at a quick pace.
Support for Primary School Children
Town halls will also receive £289 million funding to provide wraparound childcare from 8am to 6pm for primary school children.
Response from Labour
Labour's Helen Hayes expressed skepticism and called for more details regarding the funding, the number of places to be provided, and the staffing of new childcare facilities.
Did you miss our previous article…
https://hellofaread.com/politics/eu-chief-rejects-keir-starmers-proposal-to-rewrite-brexit-deal/
